Kirby: EU, US Antagonism Could Have Long-term Effects on Pristina, Belgrade

Political aggression of the United States and the European Union can have long-term having for Pristina and Belgrade, says former American Ambassador to Serbia Michael Kirby. In an interview for Voice of America on tensions in northern Kosovo, Mr. Kirby said he is not surprised by the crisis in northern Kosovo municipalities. He said that because of their commitment to the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, the United States and the European Union do not have institutional patience to deal with the insincere maneuvers of Pristina and Belgrade indefinitely.

Voice of America: How did you comment on the crisis in northern Kosovo?

Michael Kirby: I regret that I am not surprised by the crisis. When Serbian parties decided to boycott the last elections, it was clear that some people would vote. In fact, less than 4% of the electorate voted. Those few people who voted won Albanian politicians a victory. This is the risk of boycotting Serb elections. Albanian parties received the majority of votes, but did not receive the support of the majority of the people for the long. Mr. Kurt decided to act as if he had the advantage of the process.

Voice of America: What do you see as the main reason for this?

Michael Kirby: Apparently, Mr. Kurti is behind the trigger of tensions. He seems indifferent to making any concessions to either the Serb minority within Kosovo or to Mr. Vucic's government in Belgrade. Mr. Kurti's hard line has been welcomed by his supporters; facing Belgrade promotes support in Kosovo.

But Mr. Vucic is not disappointed when he sees Mr. Kurti's actions. Government opposition in Pristina always promotes the support of Mr. Vucic's supporters within Serbia. Mr. Vucic needs help right now. Following successive mass killings in Serbia, Mr. Vucic is under intense domestic pressure, as tens of thousands of Serbs throughout the country have taken to the streets seeking action against gangs and bandits that have plagued Serbia for years.

Many of these bandits, in addition to their criminal activity, have given Mr. Vucic support to intimidate his enemies. Demonstrators have also sought to end coverage with the glory of criminals on Serbian private television, “TV Pink” and other media controlled by Vucic. Therefore, Mr. Kurti's actions have offered Mr. Vucic a golden opportunity to remove people from his internal woes by relying on Serbs in Kosovo and unfaithful Albanians in northern Kosovo and in Pristina.

You know, the well-being of the majority Serb population in northern Kosovo is not the main factor in Mr. Kurti's thinking or Mr. Vucic's.

Voice of America: How did the Kosovo government's stance and the fact that two mayors from Kurt's party did not attend the meeting with the American ambassador?

Michael Kirby: Mr. Kurti is under great pressure to reach an agreement with Belgrade. I believe he wants to show Washington and Brussels that he enjoys strong domestic support for not changing his stances. Mayor Boyotor should be seen this way.

Voice of America: How will these tensions affect the process of dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia?

Michael Kirby: This will slow down dialogue. Solving disputes that are causing tensions between Kosovo and Serbia would enable Serbia to move forward in its goal of membership in the European Union. Serbia and Kosovo must make internal changes that are necessary for their membership process in the European Union. The reforms would create conditions for economic growth and prosperity for citizens of both countries.

Establishing an Association of Serbian municipalities is now a key issue in Serbia's EU membership process. Moving the focus from association to mayors, Mr. Kurti hopes to postpone the day he should deal with the issue of association. He can be successful in the short term. But the antagonism of the European Union and the United States can have long - term consequences. Kosovo needs developmental assistance that offers to America and Europe. In view of what is happening in Ukraine, neither the European Union nor the United States have institutional patience to deal endlessly with the insincere maneuvers of Pristina and Belgrade. We've all witnessed the American debt ceiling crisis. Support for giving more and more money to Kosovo may fade if Mr. Kurti oversteps his actions. His people (Kosovo's people) need our help.

Voice of America: In your opinion, what should be the solution to this problem?

Michael Kirby: Both Serbia and Kosovo must move forward with the establishment of association. I am sure that the European Union has sufficient examples of associations of a similar kind for minorities within a member state, which can be used to establish the association of Serb majority municipalities. Also, a legal tool must be found to have mayors in Serb majority municipalities, who enjoy the support of a large segment of the local population.