Ukrainian MP: Serbia Must Accept Kosovo Is Independent State

Ukrainian MP Olexiya Goncharenko says Kosovo cannot be the “grey area” in Europe. According to him, Serbia must accept the fact that Kosovo is an independent state and establish neighbourly relations with it.

The era of empires in Europe has ended”, Goncharenko says, referring to, as he puts it, the train in Serbia.

If you do not give up this approach, Serbia will continue to live in poverty and revansism, “being exploited by Russia, Iran and other countries that want to light fire in the Balkans”, Goncharenko says.

In the interview given to Radio Free Europe, it demonstrates hope that Kosovo will become a full member of the Council of Europe, following the vote in May.

Radio Free Europe: Mr. Goncharenko, you lobbied for a positive vote on Kosovo at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. The final decision is expected to be made by the Committee of Ministers in May. Do you think it will pass?

Olexey Goncharenko: I think so. The vote at the Parliamentary Assembly was historic, and now we have to finish this job. I think the Committee of Ministers will formally invite Kosovo to become a member of the Council of Europe.

Radio Free Europe: What would you say to countries that are not yet certain of Kosovo's support?

Olexey Goncharenko: Kosovo deserves this, Kosovo belongs to the free world. She needs our help developing values as a new country, as a new democracy. She needs the Council of Europe expertise. This is not about political debates, it's about two million people who deserve to be part of the world's largest organization, which fights for human rights, rule of law, democracy for fundamental values for all of us.

Radio Free Europe: Do you think that, in the coming weeks, new conditions for Kosovo can arise?

Olexey Goncharenko: I don't know what will happen on the Committee of Ministers. It's not my responsibility. I am a member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, and our decision is clear: We call on the Committee of Ministers to invite Kosovo.

Radio Free Europe: But some MPs have cited the Association of Serb-run municipalities, which Kosovo must form. Do you think he could be an obstacle?

Olexey Goncharenko: I hope he doesn't mind.

Radio Free Europe: How can Kosovo not miss its opportunity in May?

Olexey Goncharenko: Kosovo authorities must continue to show commitment to these fundamental values -- democracy, human rights, rule of law -- that is the most important.

And, after becoming a member of the Council of Europe, Kosovo has much work to do, implement and approve conventions, which are essential to our organisation.

Radio Free Europe: You have openly stated that Serbia's intentions in Kosovo are similar to Russia's intentions in Ukraine. Can you elaborate on that?

Olexey Goncharenko: Unfortunately, I see there are two trends in Serbia. One concerns building a democratic country, which I fully support, and the other concerns rebuilding the Serbian empire. And I have clearly said that the era of empires in Europe is over.

All these revolutionary and imperialist sentiments that a part of Serbian politicians are trying to promote in Serbia, to strengthen in Serbia, are a major obstacle to Serbia's own development.

Therefore, Serbia must agree with the fact that it can no longer be the emperor. Must be a normal and democratic country. It would thus be part of the free world. In another way, he will continue to live in poverty, in revansism, being exploited by Russia, Iran and other countries that want to light fires in the Balkans.

Radio Free Europe: How should you feel that such efforts should be prevented?

Olexey Goncharenko: I'm not in position to say what Kosovo and Serbia should do, but, personally, I believe there can be no grey areas in Europe. Kosovo cannot be the grey zone. Serbia must accept the fact that Kosovo is an independent state, recognised by other countries, and establish relations with Kosovo as its neighbour. This is a work to be done, and it would benefit Kosovo and Serbia and all of Europe.

Radio Free Europe: You have also lobbied for recognising Kosovo's independence from Ukraine. Is there any progress in this regard?

Olexey Goncharenko: No, there is no progress on this issue at the moment, but the reason is clear. Ukraine is in a very difficult position and, with all respect for Kosovo, it is not the main issue for Ukraine now.