We expect from the Kosovo Prime Minister and the Serbian President to show flexibility and to reach an agreement on the annex defining the process of implementation of the European proposal on March 18th in Ohrid. If that does not happen, the road to European integration would become much more difficult for both sides. We expect in particular flexibility and commitment from Kurti on the formation of the ASM, said the French ambassador to Pristina, Olivier Guerot, in an interview for KoSSev.
The proposal of the European Union, initially introduced as the Franco-German proposal, is a joint effort, with no one specific having ‘copyrights’ to the agreement, the ambassador stated. He added that Kosovo and its population would benefit concretely from the agreement in many fields, including inhabitants of northern municipalities, who „suffer most from the current blocked situation.“
Guerot said that he understands the need for security and safety for the population in the north, especially after the collective resignation of Serbian KP officers. Addressing the recent expropriation of land in the north of Kosovo, the ambassador specified that the Kosovo institutions must respect the rule of law and adhere to legal procedures. „My message to everybody is to first show restraint and avoid any incidents on the ground which could worsen the situation in North Kosovo,“ Guerot concluded.
The interview with the ambassador of France was conducted in written format.
Why is it that France engages with Germany and presents a Franco-German proposal, which was then in turn re-named as the European Union proposal?
France and Germany work together as much as possible, on a large number of issues, if not all. This is our way to keep our friendship alive and active, 60 years after our historical reconciliation in 1963. Our two countries have been at the core of many proposals that have gained support within or outside the EU. From the onset it was an EU proposal. Given the broad support by all EU members, at the level of head of States or of governments, it is clearly a European proposal, with a strong and high-level commitment of France and Germany, now joined by Italy.
When was the idea of drafting this proposal born in the offices of the French President and the German Chancellor? When was the decision made, who drafted it, for how long, what was the reason?
It has been a joint effort from the onset. No one holds specifically a copyright. The reason for our engagement is the strong will of the French President to facilitate an agreement between Kosovo and Serbia, as he already did between North Macedonia and Bulgaria, and to contribute, through his actions, to lower tensions in the Balkans, which is of foremost importance in the context of the unjustifiable Russian war of aggression against Ukraine.
What do you expect from the upcoming meeting between the Serbian president and the Kosovo prime minister on the 18th of March in Ohrid?
We expect from the Kosovo Prime Minister and the Serbian President to show flexibility and to reach an agreement on the annex defining the process of implementation of the European proposal. We expect in particular flexibility and commitment from the Prime Minister Kurti on the formation of the Association, as previously agreed in Brussels. Kosovo and its population, whichever community they belong to, would benefit concretely from the agreement in many fields, where it would bring concrete progress: lowering the tensions, increasing security, improving the attractiveness of all of Kosovo for investors. Mutual recognition of all documents and national symbols is only an example of how an agreement can improve everybody’s daily life.
What will happen after, that is, if the two leaders agree on the document on the implementation of the European proposal?
The implementation will be monitored. Those who will really benefit from an agreement are those who suffer most from the current impasse, that is the inhabitants of the northern municipalities. We expect from this agreement a better atmosphere and less tensions. Again, the inhabitants of the north suffer most from the current situation, with the institutional vacuum, that can lead to insecurity.
The European Union calls on the two parties to reach an agreement. On the other hand, the Kosovo Prime Minister and the Serbian President, although they agreed that there is no need to discuss the Basic agreement’s content, after returning from Brussels, they commented on it for their internal policy, in contrast to the tones from Brussels and Washington. While Pristina says „Community does not pass“, that is, it will only be NGOs, Vučić says that he does not agree to Kosovo in the UN. Will the two leaders change their minds by March 18 or is it possible to find common ground? How do you see these messages from the two leaders?
Our message to the two leaders is to show flexibility. We also appeal to all parties to support the efforts of the international community and not to make obstruction to the conclusion of an agreement.
If the two sides do not reach an agreement on March 18, which some analysts are announcing as a possibility, do you expect a return of tensions on the ground, a new escalation of the situation in the North? is it possible that the elections in the North will be postponed again?
These are difficult topics and these are also reasons why we strongly support the EU facilitation, so that we can make progress and avoid a repetition of tensions. The way to the European integration would become much more difficult for both countries.
You recently arrived in Kosovo, what are your impressions of the Serbian community?
My mission in Kosovo is to have contacts with everybody, and so I had contacts as well with the Orthodox Church, political parties and NGOs. My impressions from these contacts are positive, and I sense a will within the Serbian community to have contacts with France. We will intensify our contacts. But I feel a lack of contact with the Albanian community and the institutions of Kosovo which is harmful also for the Serbian community.
On the one hand, Pristina emphasizes crime in the North, and the Serbs, on the other hand, emphasize the fact that they feel insecure and what they call the militarization of the North, including the expropriation of the land without respecting procedures, and the construction of police bases. What is the situation in the North in your opinion?
I understand the need for security and safety for the population in the north, especially after the collective resignation of Serbian KP officers. The integrated security structures, as agreed in the previous agreements in Brussels, offer the best, actually the only, way to fill the current vacuum and have a situation back to normal.
Fighting organized crime is in the interest of everybody , apart from the criminals. The Kosovo police will not make progress if they cannot rely on the trust of the population. They have to act accordingly. More generally, the institutions of Kosovo must respect the rule of law and follow the legal procedures, and provide for effective legal recourse if their action is called into question by citizens, as it is now the case with some expropriation procedures. We are closely monitoring this case, with the support of the office of the EU and Eulex.
What is your message to the Serbian community and the government in Pristina?
My message to everybody is to first show restraint and avoid any incidents on the ground which could worsen the situation in North Kosovo. Then, engage, work together and talk to each other. This is how you will find the best outcome and a solution which should be long-lasting and mutually beneficial.
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