Bundestag MP: KFOR soldiers experienced violence because of mad politicians' games

Josip Juratovic: First of all, I regret that our soldiers, no matter where they come from, even decades after the war, must experience violence because of the games played by some crazy politicians. This is sad and shameful for both peoples. It has always been clear to us that you could not always count with Vucic. But we were indignant to see Kurti sent mayors to the offices the very day the protests were held in Serbia (29.05). And when Vucic's large counterdemonstre failed. In my opinion, it was a maneuver to get attention from Serbia. She only helped Vucic. The impression is that neither Vucic nor Kurti are willing or unable to contribute to the establishment of peace. I think the reason is that they are under great pressure from radical forces. In Serbia radical forces are linked to the Orthodox Church, while Kurt radicals are in diaspora and dream of a Greater Albania. That makes me angry. They are Kosovars who have grown up in Germany, are themselves in security and cultivate a nationalism that only harms people living in the region.

However, Western politics in Kosovo have often become a cause for discontent. Finally, the fact that the EU decides to condemn Kosovo, which is the most democratic country in the region. What is your opinion?

Josip Juratovic: I believe Albin Kurti when he says he wants to build democracy and rule of law in Kosovo. But there is a gap between desire and reality. Because democracy includes human rights, not only of Serbs, but also of Ashkali, Roma and other minorities living in Kosovo. The most important sign of a functioning democracy is dialogue and compromise. If a compromise is reached, it must also be protected. And Kosovo is far from this situation.

You refer to the agreement on Association of Serb-run municipalities. Albin Kurti favours giving Serbs in the north rights similar to those enjoyed by Serbs in Croatia. Do you think the Croatian model is appropriate for Kosovo?

Josip Juratovic: There is neither a Croatian model nor a Bosnian model nor any other model for Kosovo. What we have is an agreement reached in Brussels. Serbia and Kosovo must now sit at the table and talk to each other about this in order to find a solution that can be implemented by both sides

Nor Kurt's next step, such as the two organisations' ranking in the north as terrorists, was welcomed by the EU or Germany. What is your opinion on this?

Josip Juratovic: I have no doubt that there are criminal organisations in northern Kosovo that will do everything possible to prevent the appearance of a functioning democratic state. However, it is the judiciary's responsibility to decide who is convicted and who is not. Politicians should not interfere in the judiciary. An independent and functioning judiciary and respect for the rule of law are fundamental to a democracy.

What can Germany and you as an MP in Bundestag do to change the path of development on the ground?

Josip Juratovic: As German deputies of Bundestag, we should not put ourselves in the role of judges in the Western Balkans and judge who is good and who is bad. We must visit the region and distinguish between the Democrats who want to build the rule of law and corrupt politicians. We should focus on those people on the ground that promote democratic values and the rule of law.

Do you regret supporting Kurt in the past?

Josip Juratovic: No, I'm not. I supported him because he ran against the corrupt war coalition. But I do not support nationalistic tendencies, regardless of which ethnic grouping comes to the Western Balkans.

Josip Juratovic, born in 1959, in Koprivica, then Yugoslavia, today Croatia, is deputy of the Social Democrat Party in the German Parliament, Bundestag from 2005. He is a member of the Parliamentary Commission for European Union Affairs and chairman of the parliamentary group “Southeast Europe”.