Lajcak: Kosovo-Serbia territorial exchange, very dangerous idea

Despite the Devid-19 pandemic, austerity measures and economic crisis, the Western Balkans remain an important issue for the European Union.

His credibility and safety are in danger. So says EU special envoy for dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo, with the aim of normalising between the two countries, Miroslav Lajcak, in an interview for French “Le Monde”

Brussels' top official also speaks of a topic that seems past and forgotten in the Balkans: the idea of exchanging territories between Kosovo and Serbia. According to him, this is a very dangerous idea.

What changes Joe Biden's coming to the Balkans, and what lessons do you learn from the failed American mediation in 2020 between Serbia and Kosovo?

Lajcak: The first indicators are the names of his staff. They have a history because of their political and human interests in the region.

In particular, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Deputy Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland. We worked with them in the past and we know their thoughts.

The most important thing for me is once again confirmation that US-EU unity is a crucial factor for success in the Balkans. We're supplements. During the past year, there was confusion about the process launched by Washington by Richard Green, Donald Trump's special envoy. The US State Department has always supported the EU's leading role.

The EU launched a new effort in July 2020, but President Hashim Thaci's legal problems, charged with war crimes, arrived ...

Lajcak: Yes, we have resumed dialogue after a 20-month suspension. More than that, we have redefined the process. We agreed with Pristina and Belgrade that we would not engage in a series of technical negotiations, but in favour of a comprehensive and binding agreement. No issue should be left out, as left in the past. As are mutual financial claims or property disputes.

Other topics have been discussed, but they never ended up in action. So both sides know exactly what is negotiating. We have already completed discussions on missing persons, displaced persons and economic co-operation. But nothing is solved without a solution.

The special envoy has also answered the question common to Westerners: “In the end what will Belgrade gain?

“The EU is very clear in its integration promises, on condition of meeting the criteria and carrying out needed reforms. Kosovo and Serbia know normalisation is a precondition. The EU is a very strong entity. We're like a tank that doesn't come back easily. Enlargement is an official EU policy, based on the commitments of the Thessaloniki Summit (in 2003)”