Albanian Post: Sanctions can begin today: “If there is no reflection, Kurti isolates”

The point where everyone in the Western community agrees is that, if you don't reflect, Kurti must be isolated!”, the source for the AP has said.

This is a process that has already started. Most likely within weeks Kurt's only international activity will be the participation in tables organised by European NGOs, even though this will be significantly reduced”, the source says.

His only international goals will be only those towards Brussels, on dialogue issues, or in Berlin and Paris, again just for dialogue issues. Also, any other international contact with Kurti will be reduced exclusively on issues pertaining to dialogue. And, well, we need to clarify that, these communications won't be negotiations. Kurti well knows what is expected of him”, the AP source explains.

In separate statements, US Secretary Antony Blinken and European Union senior representative Josep Borrell have said that failure to comply with the international community's demands will have consequences in Kosovo's relations with the Western community.

The “in the event of the transition of the situation on the ground is not ruled out by other tougher measures of personal sanctions. Still, we have to make it clear: no one is laughing at” anymore, the AP source says, quoting officials and the international community.

But the Western sub-community doesn't only see Kurt guilty exclusively. The situation in the north is the result of a series of wrong decisions, including Belgrade's decision to boycott elections, in spite of the March 18th 2023 Ohrid accord. But this is a particular matter with, as well, special treatment”.

The Western community has understood that both Kurti and Vucic have turned dialogue into an instrument of their domestic policies. Therefore, not wanting to be part of this game, if Kurti and Vucic remain in the deadlock, the Western community will not hesitate to take measures to maintain peace and security despite the reactions of the” parties.

The last point of the Ohrid Accord gives the international community the right to take specific measures as punishment for lack of constructiveity and willingness to meet obligations stemming from the basic agreement.

The problem in itself is the fact that there are not many punitive options for Kosovo. Kosovo has no assets abroad, no access to international and similar trade scholarships. In fact, Kosovo's punitive measures are basic, so basic that they may seem even brutal.

Therefore, these measures will be: “as the host of the dialogue process, it is up to the European Union to take the first steps. Therefore, one of the first steps will be to review the assistance that comes to EU pre-membership programmes, a measure entirely within the Ohrid Accord; Procrastination of the Council of Europe membership process; Reviewing a large part of American government-funded programmes; Reviewing support for the Kosovo Army and other security forces, another very painful decision; Review of whatever road or instrument Kosovo draws to NATO”.

Also, there will be no doubts, in the event of escalation of the situation on the ground, without any doubt, EU interior ministers will recommend extending the visa liberalisation date. This decision will be based entirely on technical details (increasing general uncertainty, increasing risk for migration, etc) but, despite official justification, on its essence is punishment for Kosovo. This job is just like this”, the source for the AP said.

“The wide range in Kosovo should be aware that another penalty move is the possible decline in understanding of Kosovo's sovereignty in the country's north. Unfortunately, as things are going, KFOR commander may soon have the necessary political support to fully exercise his broad authorisations. Unfortunately, Kosovo's north could only become a mini-public of KFOR”, the Albanian Post's source also says.

“In the event of prolonging tensions in northern Kosovo, the Western community will be forced to have consensus on a solution that takes into account the specificity of northern Kosovo as a compact region, both ethnically and geographically. If the situation progresses towards this point, this will not happen as a result of any conspiracy or secret agenda, as government explorers in Pristina allude, but exclusively as a result of the unilateral and thoughtless decisions of Kurti”, the source declares.

As for the eventual collapse of governments, spoken in Pristina, the AP source says that “nobody has any secret plans to bring down Kurti or Vucic”.

If Kosovo and Serbia suffer because of their leaders' actions, it is up to the people of Kosovo and Serbia to reflect on its way forward. We are very sure that after the nationalist dilemma passes, people will begin to remember their real problems. And of course they'll be looking for responsibility. But, in the meantime, in the White House, or in the new European Commission, there may be some other people, with far less understanding and good will”.

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