Joachim Ruecker: Mandata i UNMIK is practically over. It's time for Kosovo agreement- Serbia

In an interview for Klan Kosova.tv, the former Kosovo prime minister, until the declaration of independence, stresses that the cause of Russia's incompatibility does not end this mission.

He in his stance says now is the right time for a Kosovo-Serbia agreement to be reached on the principle of mutual recognition.

Reucker has spoken of the invasion Russia has made to Ukraine and the vulnerability of the Western Balkans by this war, but also the steps to be taken by other countries.

The economist, the German, further instructs how to cope with the current economic crisis, suggesting support in fiscal and monetary policies.

INT PLOSE ERVIS:

You were boss of UNMIK through 2006-2008, the period in which Kosovo declared independence. What were the challenges, and what was the level of co-operation with Kosovo institutions, before and after independence?

Joachim Ruecker: The challenges were many. Some may recall that according to UN Organization Security Council Resolution 1244, UNMIK, had three different responsibilities: 1) Kosovo Management and the carrying of as many functions as possible to the partners of the Self-government Institutions (government role); 2) to support peace preservation activities and those for building it with all communities (peacekeeping role); and 3) to facilitate the process of determining Kosovo's final political status, which at that time meant support of President Martti Ahtisaari's (the role of the status process).

Co-operation with Kosovo institutions was good, before, after declaring independence, also because the competencies of the Secretary General's Special Representative and UNMIK at least in principle were indisputable for a period of four months.

After my departure in late June 2008, however, Kosovo entered a new phase where we had helped prepare it. During this stage, the role of UNMIK was excessive and was reconfigured in much smaller presence. That's why some media called me the last traditional Special Representative of Secretary General”.

A month after declaring independence, during a visit to northern Mitrovica, you said: “there is no division of Kosovo”. This issue is not the subject now, but it was discussed in many circles, as well as the subject of exchange for territories. Why has this matter been spoken so long? What was the purpose?

Joachim Ruecker: It has been talked about years ago that, politicians in Pristina, Belgrade, Washington and other countries have seriously considered the territorial exchange as a “solution” for normalising relations between Kosovo and Serbia. I keep thinking this is a bad idea, because restoring borders under what seems to be an ethnic criterion is a shameful concept. So, I welcome that this is off the table.

This year Kosovo has applied for membership in the Council of Europe. Preparation for NATO and European Union applications has also been warned. What do you think of these steps, and do you see opportunities for fulfillment?

Joachim Ruecker: I think the application to become part of the Council of Europe is a good move, and I am confident that two-thirds of the majority can be achieved to make Kosovo a member. As far as NATO and the EU are concerned, Kosovo's Euro-Atlantic perspective, I strongly believe that Kosovo should be a member, but that it would be in the medium term, given a number of requirements, including unanimity among the current members.

Officially there are 117 states that recognise Kosovo's independence, but there are five EU member states -- Spain, Greece, Romania, Slovakia and Cyprus -- that have not yet done so. What is the way to go, and how much can the EU have as a whole to change access?

Joachim Ruecker: I think that apparent progress in Kosovo- Serbia would be the best way to get these states to examine their position.

But this process Mr. Ruecker's been going on for almost 11 years. There are some technical agreements reached, but not political ones, until mutual recognition takes place in the international disk, especially recently. After so many years of negotiations, is it the right time now to reach the comprehensive agreement?

Joachim Ruecker: Absolutely, yes! It's time for a comprehensive deal, including, of course, mutual recognition. So I strongly support all efforts in this direction, in particular those of the EU Special Representative.

After UNMIK, another international mission continues to serve in Kosovo. E ULEX. From some institutions in Kosovo, such as the presidency, has a stance that mandates UNMIK must be completed. What do you think, is it time for this mission to withdraw from Kosovo?

Joachim Ruecker: Yeah, I think from a practical point of view, the mandate of UNMIK is over. At the moment, however, it does not appear that UN Security Council member Russia will officially agree to end Resolution 1244 and UNMIK.

When we are in Russia, she has begun the invasion of Ukraine in February of this year. What should be the Western response to this war?

Joachim Ruecker: It is important to admit that Russia is violating not only Western principles but also universal ones. For this reason, the UN General Assembly, with a devastating majority of 141 states, has strongly condemned Russian aggression against Ukraine.

How much war does this threaten the Western Balkans, knowing that Serbia is an ally of Russia?

Joachim Reucker: As for the Western Balkans, I believe it is the obligation of all current and future EU candidates to harmonise their policies with those of the EU, including sanctions against Russia. It is disturbing that Serbia is not doing that, and that some media there continue to disseminate disinformation. EU and NATO orders regarding Belgrade, but also Banja Luka, must be very clear.

You're an economist, Mr. Ruecker. Currently, the world is facing the infectious crisis. What should be done to get it back to economic normal?

Joachim Ruecker: COVID-19, Russian aggression, global gaps in the supply chain, and now inflation are obviously interrelated problems. The road ahead should include optimizing supply chains and globalisation amid the use of protectionism, which does not help. Also needed support for monetary and fiscal policies, which at the moment implies -- positive interest rates, at least in principle, a commitment to fiscal stability. /