Lajcak for tensions in the north: If there is no return to normal both sides lose

In an interview for the Italian newspaper “La Stampa”, Lajcak has said the issue does not stand for who started it, according to him if this crisis between the two neighbouring states does not end, everyone will be lost.

Now everyone thinks that what happened is the other's fault. Our job is not to decide who is right or who started it, but to make Belgrade and Pristina realize they are facing a loss. If there is no return to normality, both must lose”, he said. According to him, now is the time to reduce tensions, while adding that there can be no escalation and normalisation at the same time.

We cannot allow people to be killed or injured, now it is time to reduce tensions. The agreements we signed in February and March should act as guide”, he added. While wondering whether it is true that the clashes were caused by Serb provokers, who have exasperated the protests, Lajcak has stressed that there are different versions of who started it and that there were certainly provocations in the crowd.

“As always on these occasions, but now important is restoring tranquillity”. Lajcak was asked what role the fact that Serbian President Vucic is at odds with the violence of his regime in current tensions between Serbia and Kosovo.

“I don't want to speculate, the Serbian political process has its own internal dynamic and this is a new front. Both situations -- the Serb internal and Kosovo crash situation -- require greater attention from the international community. They should be seen together, but should be treated separately”. He also does not believe that agreements between Kosovo and Serbia could have the same fate as Minsk agreements between Russia and Ukraine.

No, because these are very solid deals, where processes are constantly monitored. And then because, unlike those in Minsk, they define not only the relationship between Kosovo and Serbia, but also between each of the two actors and the European Union: this creates a node that is hard to break aside”. However, he has voiced confidence that the agreements will be implemented and that the future of the Western Balkans lies in the European Union.

Lajcak also spoke of Russia's influence. Russia always tries to get into these crises with an anti-Western key, but it does not have the ability to propose a better agenda for this field. The ball is now in our hands and in that of our allies, the United States and Great Britain: We are all convinced that the future of the Western Balkans lies in the European Union”.

“Vucciq has repeatedly said his strategic goal is to bring Serbia into the European Union. True, Serbia did not vote in favour of sanctions against Russia, but voted together with the international community in favour of protecting Ukraine's territorial integrity. If you listen carefully to what Vuciq says, the dilemma does not exist: Serbia's future is a European future”. When asked that the legacy of the past is overstepping, Lajcak has suggested that although history cannot be erased, though his soup old mistakes can be avoided.

There is still much of the past in Balkan politics, especially the feeling of suffering injustices. History cannot be erased, but old mistakes can be avoided. This process is supported by a strong commitment from the international community. We've been working on standardization for years, not yesterday”, he concluded.