4 minutes agoKupchan shows what challenges Kosovo can face after decision on dinar
Periskopi(2 years ago)
(2 years ago)Professor at Georgetown University and former European Affairs Director at the United States National Security Council Charles Kupchan has commented on last night's confrontation of Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Serbia's President Aleksandar Vuciq at the UN Security Council's meeting for the detention of the Serbian dinar in Kosovo. According to Kupchan, regardless [...]
According to Kupchan, despite the fact that the Ohrid Agreement, mediated by the European Union, is on the table, relations between Kosovo and Serbia are turning back and not moving forward.
Regarding the dinar issue, Kupchan says that “Kurti is taking these actions by playing with a nationalist card Çaj on what makes the progress of the Ohrid Agreement”, which says it is not in Kosovo's interest.
If we return to 1999 and immediately after 2008 [when Kosovo has declared independence], Serbia is seen as a problem, Serbia is seen as a life-saving country, causing trouble in northern Kosovo and refusing to engage in normalising relations. Now, the United States and the European Union criticise Kosovo.”, Kupchan says of the REL.
Asked what potential challenges Kosovo can face in terms of support and international partnership, Kupchan has said there are clear messages that Kosovo will not be on the path to membership in the European Union and NATO unless it moves on the road to normalisation, until it has mentioned economic assistance.
“I think we have already heard some bitter warnings, in the form of clear messages that Kosovo will not be on the path to membership in international organisations EU, NATO unless it moves on the road to normalisation. The issue of financial assistance is also discussed. For now, these are part of the conviction, confidential communication with Prime Minister Kurti and other members of the Government of Kosovo to behave more constructively. But part comes also in the form of certain types of sentences, trying to turn Pristina in a more positive direction”, Kupchan has declared.
“Anyway, I don't mean that Vuciq is a collaborative person who is willing to make a deal with Kosovo. He plays with his nationalist card, he does and says provocative things, too. So this is a two-way street. Painful compromises will be needed on both sides to resolve these past disputes”, he added further.
