In 1999, Serbs controlled my passport when I went north- 23 years later I had the same feelings”

Swedish Ambassador Jonas Westerlund has expressed his disappointment over the situation in the north. In an interview for KosovoPress, Westerlund said the situation created in that part of the country is unnecessary. He said he needs a much closer dialogue between the government and the Serb community in the north. He also comments on Kosovo's application to the European Union as the ambassador of a country that will assume the EU presidency within weeks.

Westerlund feels like home in the Balkans. He was part of the O mission. The SEU in 1999 in Kosovo, while it has been working for the UN for two years in the years '96-88th and Croatia.

Despite citing major changes in Kosovo that have occurred since 99, he does not hide the disappointment that one thing has remained the same and that it is the situation in the country's north.

I am disappointed in the sense that, I remember that I crossed the bridge in Mitrovica in 1999, and I remember that I passed from the south side to the north side, and immediately came some Kosovo Serbs to check on us who we were, checked my passport. I couldn't imagine that 23 years later, I would have the same feeling during the bridge crossing. So I am disappointed that the Balkans have not been able to advance more”, he said.

The North is back in the age of developments. Barricades have entered on the ninth day and Ambassador Westerlund does not hide concern with what is currently happening in that part of the country.

It's a very disturbing situation right now. Of course, we call on all parties to de-screw the situation. This is mainly being done through EU envoy Lajcak, who just visited Kosovo along with US envoy Escobar. Sweden naturally supports their efforts, and there is a very dangerous situation, a small dispute can have serious consequences, so we call on both sides Pristina and the local community to de-scram the” situation, he follows.

Westerlund declares how the north is unnecessary, as the focus should be on Russia's aggression against Ukraine and the energy crisis in Europe.

He emphasises the need for a closer dialogue between the Government of Kosovo and the Serb community in the country's north, despite saying it gives executive rights in efforts to rule the law throughout the territory.

I think it's very unnecessary, I think it's disappointing that we've come to this stage, and there's a need for a much closer dialogue between the community and the government. Who did the government consult when he decided to act this way for license plates? Who was the Serbian List consulted when it decided to step down from consultations and co-operation with Kosovo institutions? So here's a much stronger dialogue. Of course, the north of Kosovo is part of Kosovo. The Kosovo government has the right to send reinforcements and must respect rule of law in these areas, but, however, when it makes decisions in a specific region, it is always good to dialogue with local communities”, he said.

This week Kosovo applied for membership in the European Union. The rotating EU presidency, beginning January 1st for the first six months of 2023, will have Sweden, and Ambassador Westerlund promises the application will be treated professionally.

“Suedia fully supports Kosovo's aspirations to become an EU member. We welcome Kosovo's application... As you know, Sweden will assume the EU presidency in early January, after the Czech Republic... Sweden will deal with this (application) during its presidency in the next six months, and we will do it professionally, but certainly in dialogue with all other EU members, in particular with the five member states that have not recognised Kosovo”, Westerlund said.

Asked whether the five non-recognitional EU states will complicate the path towards membership, Westerlund claims this but adds that the current situation in the north will bring difficulties.

I think of course this complicates things (just with the five non-recognition countries). I think that even the current situation in the northern part of Kosovo complicates things”, Westerlund adds.

Prime Minister Albin Kurti declared during cabinet meeting that recognition from Spain, Greece, Romania, Cyprus and Slovakia would facilitate acceleration of the European Union membership process