Ukrainian MP: Serbia should give up its imperial tendencies and accept Kosovo

2024-04-23 10:46:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

The Ukrainian MP, Oleksiy Goncharenko, says that Kosovo cannot be a "grey area" in Europe. According to him, Serbia should accept the fact that Kosovo is an independent state and establish neighborly relations with it.

"The era of empires in Europe is over", says Goncharenko, referring, as he says, to the trend in Serbia.

If it does not give up this approach, Serbia will continue to live in poverty and revanchism, "being exploited by Russia, Iran and other countries that want to light a fire in the Balkans", says Goncharenko.

In the interview given to Radio Free Europe, he expresses the hope that Kosovo will become a full member of the Council of Europe, after the vote in May.

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

Oleksiy Goncharenko: I think so. The vote in the Parliamentary Assembly was historic and now we must finish this work. I think that the Committee of Ministers will officially invite Kosovo to become a member of the Council of Europe. Radio Free Europe: What would you say to countries that are not yet sure about supporting Kosovo?

Oleksiy Goncharenko: Kosovo deserves this, Kosovo belongs to the free world. It needs our help to develop values ??as a new country, as a new democracy. It needs the expertise of the Council of Europe. This is not about political debates, it is about two million people who deserve to be part of the largest organization in the world, which fights for human rights, rule of law, democracy - for core values for all of us.

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

Oleksiy Goncharenko: I don't know what will happen in the Committee of Ministers. It is not my area of ??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: However, some MPs have mentioned the Association of municipalities with a Serbian majority, which Kosovo should form. Do you think he can become an obstacle?

Oleksiy Goncharenko: I hope it will not become an obstacle. Radio Free Europe: How can Kosovo ensure that it does not miss its opportunity in May?

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

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

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

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

All these revanchist and imperialist feelings that some Serbian politicians are trying to promote in Serbia, to strengthen in Serbia, are a big obstacle for the development of Serbia itself.

Therefore, Serbia must come to terms with the fact that it can no longer be the emperor. It should be a normal and democratic country. That way, it would be part of the free world. Otherwise, it will continue to live in poverty, in revanchism, being exploited by Russia, Iran and other countries that want to light a fire in the Balkans.

Radio Free Europe: How should these efforts be prevented, in your opinion?

Oleksiy Gonchaenko: I am not in a position to say what Kosovo and Serbia should do, but, personally, I believe that there can be no gray areas in Europe. Kosovo cannot be a gray area. Serbia must accept the fact that Kosovo is an independent state, recognized by other countries, and establish relations with Kosovo as a neighbor. This is a job that must be done and Kosovo and Serbia and the whole of Europe would benefit from it.

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

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