The association, the elections in the north and the Kosovo-Serbia agreement / "Disintegrates" Gabriel Escobar

2023-04-20 18:58:07, Kosova & Bota CNA

The association, the elections in the north and the Kosovo-Serbia agreement /

The US special envoy for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, says he expects to have a proposal from the Kosovo government for the Association of Serb-Majority Municipalities by May 2 when the leaders of Kosovo and Serbia meet in Brussels.

The Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Southern and Central Europe evaluated in an interview for the Voice of America the progress of the government and the prime minister of Kosovo regarding this issue.

The senior State Department official also said that the United States will recognize Sunday's elections in northern Kosovo if they are free and fair, and stressed that he has asked Lista Serba to play its role.

Voice of America: One month after reaching the Ohrid agreement (between Kosovo and Serbia), the only progress is the formation of the Joint Monitoring Committee in Brussels. What is your assessment of the process so far?

Gabriel Escobar: First of all, I want to say that this was an incredible deal. It is an agreement for normalization and good peaceful relations according to European standards, according to the European framework, between two parties that I would characterize as two hostile neighbors. This is what we wanted. So I would say that in itself was a remarkable achievement. If properly implemented, I think this could usher in a new era of peaceful relations between Serbia and Kosovo.

Voice of America: The experience in the Balkans shows that reaching an agreement does not mean that the problems have been solved. Implementation is the key issue. Where do we stand in this regard?

Gabriel Escobar: I must say that we have undertaken, or rather the European Union through the mediation of this dialogue, has presented an aggressive agenda based on which I hope to have a calendar for the implementation of all points within the year.

Voice of America: The so-called Association of Municipalities with a Serbian Majority remains one of the main topics. Has there been any progress on this?

Gabriel Escobar: I would say yes. First of all, to be quite direct, we have seen an extraordinary evolution in the attitude of the government of Kosovo, and in particular of the prime minister, to accept this legal obligation. It is an existing obligation under the Brussels agreement and it was very difficult for this government and party to accept it as binding. But now they are considering it as an obligation, they have agreed with it and have said publicly what should be the framework and parameters of the Association. And we agree with these parameters.

VOA: Is there a timeline regarding the Association and perhaps the implementation of the agreement as a whole?

Gabriel Escobar: When the two leaders meet in May, I would like to see a draft plan from the Kosovo government.

VOA: Are you saying nothing has been delivered yet?

Gabriel Escobar: Until now nothing was expected, but I hope that by May 2 there will be a concrete proposal.

Voice of America: Let's talk a little about the elections in the north of Kosovo. In an interview on Wednesday, you said that Washington is ready to recognize the result, regardless of whether the Serbian List boycotts them. Are you concerned about the legitimacy of these elections if they do not participate?

Gabriel Escobar: First, boycotting does not define elections. In the election campaign in Serbia in 2019, the opposition boycotted the elections. And we called on him to participate. The fact that she did not participate was her (the opposition's) choice. And after the elections, we recognized the government that was formed by them. In these elections, we have called and I have personally asked the Serbs, the Serbian List, to participate and not give up their role. The fact that they do not participate is their decision. But these are foreseen by the Constitution. There are unfilled places. There are people who are not receiving services from local government because there is no participation. So if these elections are free and fair, and I predict they will be, the result will be legitimate from our point of view.

Voice of America: The person who can influence this decision is Mr. Vucic. Have you spoken to him to ask him to intervene?

Gabriel Escobar: I would say that he does not ultimately determine whether they participate or not. Of course he has influence and has tried to use that influence. But the Serbian List has insisted that it has its own reasons for not wanting to participate.

VOA: Can you tell us what you talked about with Mr. Vucic?

Gabriel Escobar: He is very worried about some things. He is very concerned about the conditions in which the Serbs live. It is true that there is some isolation of that community from the central government and we have asked both sides to find ways to compromise on these issues. But the truth is that we have empty places in institutions that need to be filled.

Voice of America: With the boycott of the elections by the Serbian List, what will be the impact of these elections on the formation of the Association? If you insist that this Association be formed, with whom will you do it, who will be the people appointed there?

Gabriel Escobar: That is a question that should be addressed to them. This was one of the reasons why I wanted them to participate and I continue to encourage them to participate in the civic and democratic life of North Kosovo. And I think that's important. Now, there are jobs to be filled. There are jobs that need to be filled and institutions that need participation. So I hope they find a way to return to the institutions. And I hope they find a way to participate in the future in elected leadership.

VOA: Is it possible that their boycott could potentially delay the establishment of the Association?

Gabriel Escobar: No. That obligation is immediate, it is existing. So, regardless of who is in power, the Association must be formed.

Voice of America: Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has said that he will only partially implement the Ohrid agreement. In fact, your Wednesday interview was published in many media alongside Mr. Vucic's statement that Serbia will not agree to Kosovo becoming a member of the UN. Kosovo's membership in international organizations is foreseen in the Ohrid agreement. Does this jeopardize the deal?

Gabriel Escobar: I don't believe it, I don't believe it. Both countries should get closer to the Euro-Atlantic institutions. This is the ultimate goal. The question of membership in the UN is something difficult. We should focus more on the candidacy to the European Union, the steps of rapprochement with NATO and all other structures, including rapprochement with each other, which would have a direct impact on the lives of their citizens. So, we are focused on bringing Kosovo and Serbia closer to Europe and the United States as soon as possible through this agreement./ VOA