Weber: Any new Kosovo punitive measure would have counterproductive effect

Bodo Weber, an expert for the Balkans and senior associate of the Council for Democratic Policy in Berlin, says the criticisms coming from Pristina for Western mediators, “have basic”.

According to him, it is the approach of dialogue mediators that “has pushed Pristina to tell you some of their proposals”.

“Here we have a combination of the unfortunate and intra-strategic performance of Pristina authorities, as well as the justified reason for discontent with the overall framework of negotiations and the approach of Western negotiators. So, every way of pressure that has been exerted on Pristina, starting with imposing sanctions, has only added fire oil to”, says Weber for Radio Free Europe.

The EU has taken several punitive measures against Kosovo ? Due to suspension of funds and high-level meetings ? due to high tensions in the north, rushed by the installation of Albanian mayors in majority Serb municipalities.

Weber says any new penalty measures against Kosovo would have counterproductive effect.

He does not expect Kurt to give in to the demands of Western partners, who, as he says, have not reacted and exerted any pressure on Belgrade”.

“I am afraid that, ultimately, in Western capitals they will accept that this entire current chapter of political negotiations or political dialogue, as well as all this approach that has started with the German-French initiative, has not succeeded, but has failed”, says Weber.