Former Kosovo Ambassador to the US: America Selejon Repeats

In an interview for Kosova Press, former Ambassador Spahiu also speaks of the European Union's approach to Kosovo, which wishes it would not be delayed as it was delayed in the 1990s, when Balkan butcher Slobodan Milosevic was allowed to use all sorts of machines to cause wars, crimes and massacres.

“I hope this happens because we've constantly heard that this year will be the last, there will be a final solution. But, in my opinion, it is far from the mind that [the final agreement] will be reached soon, precisely because of an attitude of diplomacy and the Serbian state towards Kosovo. We are witnessing obstacles, of daily threats on the daily basis of the Serbian state against Kosovo, but also of Bosnia. The danger of Bosnia's dissolution comes precisely from Serb elements, supported by Vuciqi and his state. So Serbia is at the same time playing with several letters against its neighbours, and not only towards Kosovo and Bosnia, but we have a similar policy towards Montenegro, and all its neighbours”, he says.

Taking into account the continuing threats of Serbian heads of state to Kosovo, Spahiu says there is danger of straining Kosovo-Serbia reports. But, according to him, it is the presence of five American diplomats engaged in the Balkans in competition that will not repeat the past.

“Absolutely, it's dangerous [Kosovo-Serbia relations approach], but steps like Washington is now taking to have a greater presence in the region, is an encouraging sign that it will not be allowed to repeat the past”, he says.

According to diplomat Avni Spahiu, even the European Union should react to Serbia's behaviour towards Kosovo, as it says Serbian President Alexander Vuciq's discour is no different from Milosevic's.

“Hopefully the EU will not be delayed as it was late in the 1990s, when tolerating Milosevic to use all sorts of machines to cause wars, crimes, massacres, until everything was clear and the international community intervened. Vuciqi's conversation is similar to that of Milosevic, and Serbian politics has undergone no change in positive terms. It today presents the main threat to peace in the region”, the former ambassador says.

Diplomat Avni Spahiu, along with Serbia, criticises Russia, for its wild and hard lines towards the region and Europe.

While calling it good news the mobilization of the American state in the Balkans, it says that the appointment of the strong “peser” of American diplomats in the region should be seen in three ways.

“It is realising President Beden's promise that there will be increased attention in the region. This focus takes place after a period of another policy of the former Trump administration. Now we have a return to American politics just like it was before Trump administration. And the third, given the unprecedented pressure of Serbia and Russia in the region, and the remaining issues without a solution, means that a perception of what this administration wants to solve, and be present, to oppose this hard line that the Serbian state and Russia have chosen towards the region... I think it's a good sign that someone will oppose this terrible discourse coming from Russia and Serbia, the peace threats these two pose for the region, for peace in Europe. It may be the time when the United States will take on a more active role in the region, as we are used to seeing during the 1990s, and they did so through the return of prominent diplomats of American diplomacy in the past, whether by returning them from retirement”, Spahiu says. / KP