2 hours agoJoseph: Kosovo start forming association immediately, postponement increases risks
Periskopi(3 years ago)
(3 years ago)Only a week has passed since the Ohrid Agreement was reached and confusion continues to be great, but the debate over it is even greater. Regarding this matter, American Professor Edward P. Joseph, who has said that Kosovo should start forming association immediately, because his push [...]
He has also talked about EU and US obligations in implementing the agreement and on the most controversial topic in Kosovo, Article 7 and the obligation to form Association.
The first “, the Brussels and Ohrid Accords are legally binding. There are many important benefits for Kosovo, which is severely damaged by the status quo. All Kosovo citizens need to understand: only Serbia benefits from the status quo. Citizens of Kosovo, both Albanians and Serbs, do not benefit.
The second, in terms of Article 7 obligations containing “self-awareness for the Serb community in Kosovo”, with few characteristics such as financial support from Serbia and direct communication with the Government of Kosovo. Article 7 requires that Kosovo immediately replace negotiations “on self-awareness, citing past “dialogue agreements. ”
Therefore, protesters and critics in Kosovo must accept these two points. Kosovo is responsible for this issue... and Kosovo has much to gain from the Brussels and Ohrid Accords. ”
Yes, are there risks for Kosovo with regard to implementing “on its own” or “Association”, as described in 2013 and 2015?
“Everyone is aware of the risk of “Republika Srpska”. We must admit that Serbia's intentions on association have not been prompted by the desire to improve the lives of Serbian citizens in Kosovo... because Belgrade refuses to admit that they are citizens of Kosovo in the first place.
The association has been a good tactic of postponement in dialogue, allowing Belgrade to say “don't blame us! ” It is Kosovo that refuses to implement the Association. Remember, it suits Serbia to keep the situation as it is, with Kosovo isolated.
With the Brussels and Ohrid Agreement, the situation has already changed. Before, Kosovo was required to implement association for unclear and indefinite benefits at the end. Now, Kosovo is expected to receive clear benefits by moving forward.
The US insists that self-admission or association will be strict in accordance with the Kosovo Constitution, rather than obstruction in any form for its functionality. The basic concept of the US and EU is for a certain number of municipalities to co-ordinate existing competencies. My position in Foreign Policy was that the United States repeatedly pressured Kosovo on this thing to ensure that self-admission or association is legal, correct and functional.
So, yes, there are risks, and there are benefits. Kosovo must move quickly and carefully to this job. There are also major risks if it does not move ahead with Kosovo's association, which could be blamed for obstructing the initial agreement.
There's a greater and completely overlooked risk I've put my finger on, the sovereignty of Kosovo. I'll address this issue at the end of the interview.”, he said.
