Philips: Needless association, but must not be an obstacle to closing negotiations

However, Philips says the association should not be an obstacle to the closure of negotiations.

It is unnecessary to create the Serbian Communist Association. Hashim Thaci should not have accepted and parliament should not have approved. But now it is important not to turn into an obstacle to concluding negotiations. Hence, the creation of association must be completed and made clear that there will be no executive functions. It's just an administrative measure dealing with urban development, housing, local issues. Without executive power”, he told a2cnn.

Philips analysed Kosovo's situation, where, according to him, it is not only possible to solve the European mediation.

“The EU lacks legitimacy as mediator, Lajcak and Borelli come from countries that have recognised Kosovo itself. The US must have a more active role”, he said.

On the other hand, Philips stressed that Washington “should recognise that their friends in the region are Albanians. The US has no closest friends in the world than Albanians. Instead of taking an equal stand, it should make clear that it is exercising its weight in support of Kosovo's” stance.