Swiss newspaper: EU has sent half ultimatum to Serbia for Kosovo

Given the war in Ukraine, the West wants to resolve the Kosovo issue quickly. Pressure on parties is now increasing. But that alone won't be enough, writes Swiss newspaper “Neue Zurcher Zeitung”.

Serbia has historical experience with ultimatums. In 1914, following the murder of Sarajevo, Austro-Hungary asked Belgrade to leave Austrian investigators in the country. In 1999, Western powers urged Serbia to release control of Kosovo NATO. Both times Belgrade refused and the attack came both times.

This could explain the violent public response to President Aleksandar Vuciq's televised speech earlier this week, after which the large “peses” gave him an ultimatum on the Kosovo issue. Five emissaries were sent from the EU, the US, Germany, France and Italy.

According to Vucinqi, the five have handed him a draft for regulating relations with Kosovo and have warned: If Serbia rejects it, political and economic sanctions must be expected. Concretically: The ban on EU membership talks, suspension of EU payments, and obstructing European investors on the Serbian market. That's all about Vuchy's presentation.

French Ambassador and his German colleague in Belgrade deny such ultimatum exists. They do not want to blackmail or impose sanctions, diplomats said. On the contrary, a way out of the mix to the benefit of Serbs and Kosovars should be found. If the case loses, there will certainly be consequences. So, half the ultimatum?

The 1972 base treaty as a model

The proposal at the table was brought into a similar form ten years ago. It is inspired by the solution between the RG and the GDR in 1972, the so - called basic treaty. The two sides recognise the existence of the other within the existing borders, trade with each other economically and politically, but do not have diplomatic relations. It's basically mutually factual, but not legal.

What is especially important for Kosovo is the passage that says Belgrade should not place obstacles on its path when it is joined in international organisations. Membership in the United Nations and the Council of Europe would be an important step for Kosovo towards completion of foreign statehood. Almost half of UN member states do not recognise him, writes NZZ, followed by Insander.

In his one-hour speech, accompanied by dramatic pauses, Vuciqi said Serbia was led by difficult times. The war in Ukraine is also a war between Europe and Russia. That is why pressure is mounting on Serbia to join the West and impose sanctions on Russia. In detail, Vuciqi referred to the great importance of close economic ties with Germany, which are necessary and depend on tens of thousands of jobs in Serbia.

The fragmented opposition will not hear its call for the country to stay united. She accuses Vucinqi of bowing to the ultimatum and of betraying the country. Even in their party, there is murmuring. But no one can openly challenge Almighty President.

Kosovo Government Leader Under Pressure

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti's opponent is also being targeted. While the EU is working for Belgrade, Americans are responsible for Kosovo. Because Kurti strictly refuses to allow a semi-automatic association of Serb communities in Kosovo, the US Embassy has taken matters into its own hands and is starting consultations with parties and NGOs.

For Kurt, who has always seen himself in the anticolonial struggle for liberation -- first against Serbia and then against the UN protectorate -- this is an extraordinary provocation: representatives of a great power are directly interfering with the sovereign powers of the government. But he cannot afford to resist the United States openly. America is known in Kosovo and is seen as guarantor of the state's existence, writes NZZ, forwards Isander.

It is the greatest Western control over the Kosovo problem, which has dragged on for decades. It reflects the awareness that, in the function of confrontation with Russia, destabilisation in the Balkans should be avoided at all costs. The goal is to use combined forces to achieve what Brussels and Washington see as a compromise: Serbia de facto recognises Kosovo, in exchange for which Kosovo grants autonomy to Serbs “its”.

But access has two grips. From a Serbian point of view, it is not compromise, after all it is clear that the actual recognition will be followed by that law law. This is the point of the plan. And most importantly, the West has great potential for sanctions it can use against Belgrade and Pristina. But he has little incentive to offer for their good behaviour.

What used to work, the promise of EU membership, has lost credibility. Serbia and Kosovo know membership barriers are insurmountable. Once again it shows that the EU needs new forms of integration for difficult states if it wants to act with strategic success.