Austrian diplomat: Agreement implementation leads to normalisation and recognition

Austrian diplomat Wolfgang Petritsch, simultaneously the former European Union's envoy for Kosovo and former High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, says that the success achieved in Ohrid, northern Macedonia, between Kosovo and Serbia, for the agreement towards normalisation will depend on its implementation or not.

Petritsch said in an interview for Radio Free Europe that the Ohrid meeting could be considered “some kind of progress towards normalisation” of reports, despite the parties not signing the text offered by EU mediators.

The most important, according to him, is the fact that Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti showed “opening and flexibility” at the start of a process to deliver a mechanization of “the Serbian community's” management in Kosovo.

Furthermore, Petritsch defines the fact that in Ohrid, according to him, the EU decided to create an instrument of commitment to the parties to implement the Agreement, through opening chapters for membership.

Radio Free Europe: We saw on Saturday, March 18th, in Ohrid, North Macedonia that Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Serbia's president, Aleksandar Vuciq, with the European Union's mediation, agreed on the implementation plan of what is known as the Agreement towards normalising relations between them. What is your comment on this agreement?

Petritsch: Let's start with the positive side. There we saw some sort of progress. Maybe not what we hoped for, but at the same time more than we feared. There was no failure to negotiate. So neither side left the table, but, on the other hand, it shows how difficult and complex the whole issue is.

Radio Free Europe: Do you see the agreement reached as a new era in reports between Kosovo and Serbia?

Petritsch: We must see how this will apply that is set [in Ohrid]. I think implementation is the main issue. We know from the past, sometimes what one party has tried to implement, the other has not, and vice versa. So, I think now what's important is for European Union negotiators to keep this moment of achieved progress, substantial progress, but still this should be followed with further meetings.

Radio Free Europe: Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, and Serbia's president, Aleksandar Vuciq, confirmed they reached agreement, but they did not sign documents. With that fact in mind, do you believe that this will be a lasting agreement?

Petritsch: They'll definitely sign it in the end, of course. But so far, I think as long as the process is still under way, and not all 11 points, or whatever they've been discussed and fulfilled, I think it's really more important to have witnesses around and the European Union, as well as the presence of the special envoy of the United States [Gabriel Escobar] proves that this is something that at the moment replaces the formalisation of a signing.

“Login “

Radio Free Europe: Despite having no signatures, the parties agreed to one of the most important points, and that is the immediate start of creating a self-defence mechanism for the Serb community in Kosovo. Do you see any danger from such a mechanism?

Petritsch: I don't think so. I believe we've seen many examples in history where things have worked, and they're still working. As an Austrian, I have in mind Southern Tirol, where, many years ago, in the 1970s, an agreement was reached, which for a time even ended in the United Nations in New York, and now, if we go back, 30 or 40 years, we can say that mechanism works for both sides [Austrina and Italy].

But, I mean one thing, the mechanism functions between Italy and Austria, and that mainly because the two countries are in the European Union. But even [in Ohrid] there was a specific agreement for the opening of chapters, or to signal to both sides, in Serbia's case that membership negotiations will continue, and in the case of Kosovo that you are approaching membership negotiations in the European Union. I believe that this combination, as I say, of the stick and carrot, in this case is a clear picture of what's going on. The EU, along with the US, has for the first time taken a comprehensive approach, ranging from visa liberalisation to membership negotiations, everything has become relevant to progress.

“xibility” Kurt

Radio Free Europe: The problem with previous agreements was the fact that the EU did not have such a mechanism as how to force Kosovo and Serbia to implement signed agreements. Now, in Ohrid it was said to be set for such a mechanism. So, without implementation, no integration. Can it be effective and can it be a problem for Kosovo if it is not implemented, as there is still no visa liberalisation and is behind in the integration processes?

Petritsch: I have to say that Kosovo is behind in these issues, but it should keep in mind that it is a very new state. So there's not a lot of years. That's why it takes a little more time. But I think that now this important decision by [Kosovo] Prime Minister Albin Kurti to open up or be flexible, when it comes to this mechanism for the Serb community, I think it is a clear massage that the European Union has achieved a first step on a constructive road to Kosovo's eventual integration into the EU. It's probably a very long drive, but Kurt's in Ohrid, basically blocked this road.

Behind pressure are geopolitical reasons

Radio Free Europe: We have seen great international pressure on Kosovo and Serbia. From what you've seen from the deal, do you have any concerns? Do you think it's applicable by both sides? How do you see the commitment of both sides in this process?

Petritsch: Pressure clearly has broader reasons. There are geopolitical reasons. And the pressure comes from the war, from Russia's aggression against Ukraine and the European Union, as well as the United States, will not have Russia in the Western Balkans as a force, but it is possible only if Serbia and Kosovo decide to do what is necessary to make progress, and in this way I think it is important that Kosovo see it, that the Government see it moving forward, that it is contributing to the European goal, to keeping the Russians out of the Balkans, and that is a strong signal in which [Soldar] Mr. [Soldar] Vuchy, he has to answer.

My impression is that in Belgrade you can see a more flexibility and a greater realism that is recently decided that Serbia's partner is the European Union, not Russia. I hope that after the war ended in Ukraine and the end of the [Russian president Vladimir] era. Putin, Europe will be able to restore correct reports with Russia, but that is certainly a distant issue. But what is happening now in the dialogue [between Kosovo and Serbia] is, of course, a very important part of increasing security throughout the Western Balkans as well as Europe.

Radio Free Europe: When talks began between Kosovo and Serbia in 2011, let's say more than a decade ago that dialogue should lead to mutual recognition between Kosovo and Serbia. Do you see such a thing happening through the European proposal?

Petritsch: We're not there yet, but that's the right step that's taken. I think the Ohrid meeting was significant and perhaps historians in the future would say that in fact in Ohrid, a step took place in the direction of it. / REL