Peach: Kosovo attack “very serious incident”, requires full investigation and return to dialogue

British Prime Minister for the Western Balkans special envoy Stuart Peach in an interview for the Voice of America said Great Britain condemns the attack of the Serb armed group in the northern part of Kosovo on 24 September as a very serious incident and requires full investigation to determine responsibility.

He said Russia's struggle in Ukraine has raised memories of the past and has added tensions to the Balkans and that London remains committed to the process of dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia to lead to a form of normalisation as soon as possible. In an interview for colleague Garentina Kraja, he stresses that Great Britain's stance is not the creation of another Republika Srpska in Kosovo, but of an association that takes into account the interests of all sides and is in line with the Kosovo Constitution.

Voice of America: Lord Peach, what is your assessment of what happened in Kosovo on September 24th?

Stuart Peach: It was a very serious incident, which we continue not only to condemn, but to call for a real and real police investigation. We're still trying to find out the facts.

Voice of America: Authorities in Kosovo say there is additional evidence, including finding a large quantity of weapons this week in the northern part of Kosovo, proving that the aim of the attack was to annex territories from Belgrade. Could such an attack occur without Belgrade's knowledge and support?

Stuart Peach: Of course, geography is well - known and geographically available. From my experience, there is a real need for border security and there is a need for regular police checks on both sides of that border. Those who carried out the attack on NATO peacekeepers in May and the attack that caused people's lives to be lost on 24 September must be held accountable. Our long experience in various parts of the world teaches us that police should be given priority. We urge everyone to lower rhetoric and focus on real investigations to determine the facts.

Voice of America: However, would it be possible to attack this scale without Belgrade's backing, according to you?

Stuart Peach: We still don't know the facts until the Belgrade level of support, as you're calling it. So I don't want to speculate until we have more information. But, on the part of the international community, it is important to try to promote the need for dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia.

Voice of America: Many observers have said the dialogue has no meaning. After this incident can you continue with dialogue as if nothing happened?

Stuart Peach: <x0) I mean, there's never a reason between countries not to talk. Of course, there is a state of war and a status of conflict and the current situation between Kosovo and Serbia, none of them. There is no reason for Kosovo and Serbia not to talk to each other in a dialogue, which we support.

Voice of America: In view of the events in the Middle East, do you think that the attack by the Serb armed group in the northern part of Kosovo is another case of malicious actors, creating conflict, or related to the wider context of war in Ukraine?

Stuart Peach: It's a very complex question. I don't think there is a connection at first glance between the Middle East events, which constitute a tragedy for all parties involved and the situation in Kosovo and between Kosovo and Serbia. But, I'll say that since President Putin started the illegal fight against Ukraine in February 2022, there is no doubt that memories on the Balkan Peninsula have been aroused and there are more tensions. And that's because of the nature of what happened and the way the war in Ukraine has developed. But we should also be clear both within the international community and among friends, that we should continue to talk with friends in the region, with everyone and encourage dialogue in the region.

Voice of America: You are currently in Tirana for the Berlin Process meeting. According to President Vucic, you and other envoys for the Balkans will go to Belgrade and Pristina during the week. What is the reason for the visit, and what will you ask the leaders in both countries?

Stuart Peach: I don't plan on being part of that visit that was made. I visit according to my plan, as the British prime minister's special envoy for the region. But what's important is that Great Britain continues to support dialogue, the dialogue mediated by the European Union, and continues to support it with all available resources, which are largely sources of defence and security throughout the region, to make sure that dialogue continues and to try to achieve a normalisation form as soon as possible. We do not want the conflict between Russia and Ukraine to become a cause for further conflict. We don't want that. So Great Britain continues to, quietly, with authority and through my actions on behalf of my government, continue to speak with leaders and support dialogue throughout the region.

Voice of America: Your government, along with other Western governments, has encouraged authorities in Kosovo, prior to this attack, to work to establish association of Serb majority municipalities. Is that still your attitude and what your vision of how to go on?

Stuart Peach: We support dialogue, but we will not sit down and draw up dialogue. It's not for us to say what form he should take. But that's a long-standing issue, and our principled position is that association is not really a union and I repeat it is not the creation of a second Republika Srpska. The association should be in line with the Kosovo Constitution and should take into account the interests of all sides. We will continue to support dialogue and the process leading to normalisation, which is a major goal.

Voice of America: And your vision for the road ahead. Should any aspect be changed, accelerated?

Stuart Peach: The central part of our vision is to support those who will be responsible to draft the charter of association and the work they are already doing. We continue to support this effort through the Berlin process, which is a special initiative, but all are present, we support it through our presence in NATO and through our comprehensive relations throughout the Balkans in terms of defence and security.

My message to the parties would be that because of all the conflicts that have erupted in the world, now is the time for dialogue, now is the time not to look constantly into the past, but to look towards the future. The Balkans deserve brighter future. / VOA