First Coordinator UNMIK, Wulfen: Kurti must stick to agreement with Serbia

German diplomat and former co-ordinator for civilian administration in Kosovo, Bernd Wulffen talks about the DW situation in Kosovo and recent developments. It has recently published a book on Kosovo.

DW: Honored Mr. Wulffen, some German politicians, recently the Agriculture Minister Cem Ozdemir during his visit to Kosovo, referring to the events of the 1990s in this country, speak of genocide against the Albanian population from the Serbian side. Do you share that opinion?

Wulfen: I've heard a lot of terrible things, and I've even seen some of the mass cemetery visited regularly by relatives. There must have been terrible events, including occasions when Kosovars were forced into the house and then blown up. Such crimes have occurred. However, it is difficult for me to call this genocide because my definition of genocide is perhaps a little broader.

DW: German politicians helped build democratic structures in Kosovo before Kosovo became independent. Do you think these democratic structures operate today in independent Kosovo?

Wulfen: During my time in Kosovo, everything was run through UNMIK, the United Nations functioned as a kind of government in reality. Kosovo did not initially have its own parliament. We have gradually tried to build structures and involve Kosovars in the governing responsibility. Today, Kosovo has its own functioning government and parliament, even though it is difficult.

DW: Official Pristina has repeatedly confirmed that Serbs in enclaves in Kosovo live well, and that only Serbs in northern Kosovo are causing problems. Do you agree?

Wulfen: During my stay in Kosovo, most Serbs in the enclaves felt threatened. There were repeated attacks, including the burning of monasteries and houses. They felt threatened, but nobody told me they wanted to emigrate. We have always stressed, that we see Kosovo as a whole, including Serb enclaves that were in dire straits.

DW: In some cases you have disclosed that you are a strict opponent of the exchange of territories, which some see as a solution to the dispute between Kosovo and Serbia. Why?

Wulfen: I am not a strict opponent, but I see the risks related to this matter. Territorial exchanges could cause an avalanche, drawing other areas into conflict, which could threaten the political stability of the Western Balkans. That's why I advise you to abandon this idea.

DW: You certainly follow negotiations between Serbia and Kosovo, which are again in a difficult phase. Do you see the exit?

Wulfen: I think we should be patient and continue our presence in the Western Balkans. Ukraine's war has somewhat delayed the process, but if Putin falls second, with some politicians in the Balkans like Vuciq, space for the EU will be opened.

DW: Many blame Albin Kurti for recent problems in the process of approaching the EU. Do you agree with these charges?

WulfenI think it's important to stick to the deal. There is an agreement for representing Serbs from northern Kosovo, and Kurti does not abide by it. This is unacceptable. The European Union should be firm here and insist on this agreement. This is an important symbol for Serbs.

DW: In the past, when you were in Kosovo, Russia has played a relatively constructive role. This has changed. How do you explain this?

Wulfen: First of all, then we had Jelcin as president of Russia, who, for example, had good relations with then Chancellor Helmut Kohl. The Russians were willing to negotiate, though, as I recall, they did not always find much support in Moscow. There were also hardline forces that did not support Russia's mediating and conciliatory role at the time. For example, taking the airport to Pristina by the Russians at the time was probably a concession for these hardliners, who insisted on the strongest deployment of Russian interests in Kosovo.

Bernd Wulfen was the first co-ordinator for civil administration in Kosovo in the postwar period from 1999 to 2000. During his long diplomatic career, he has also served as Germany's ambassador to Cuba. As soon as his book “Kosovo began 1999/2000” was published.