“A key topic of debate in Belgrade is the ‘land swap’ proposal; a ‘comprehensive deal’ that would allow Serbia regain disputed territory (North Kosovo) in exchange for Serbia recognising Kosovo as a state. It is, however, not clear whether the Vucic-Thaci talks are going anywhere; nor whether any deal could be sold in Kosovo. There is still a long way to go,” a British diplomat, European adviser, and a former mediator in the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, Robert Cooper, allegedly wrote in a letter to the ECSF – „a private note“, which Pristina-based portal Gazeta Express got hold of. Cooper wrote this letter following the Belgrade Security Forum (BSF), where he was one of the speakers and met with a number Serbian officials, and ambassadors to Serbia from EU countries.
“The preoccupation with this particular question is dangerous as it distracts from the real problems that need to be solved before Serbia can join the European Union. Democracy and the rule of law are the most important of these.
President Vucic may have persuaded himself that Kosovo is so important that, if he solves this, the rest will not matter. He imagines Brussels longing for a heroic Balkan strongman doing geopolitical deals, whereas what it would be really like is a predictable, well-run country that minds its own business and gets on well with its neighbours“ – also reads the letter.
“The intensity of the Kosovo-Serbia discussion obscures concerns about the rule of law and puts geopolitics above domestic Serbian reform on the agenda. It also appears to take prevalence over EU integration talks,” he emphasized.
“Stability over democracy” is the ever-present motto of the government and most international partners – there are some parallels with the international support for Gruevski around 2015 come to mind,” was also emphasised.
„President Vucic appears to be preparing the ground for a possible referendum on a change of constitution, which he could tie up with other measures allowing him to consolidate power even more,” Cooper further wrote.
“A key date to watch is the 4th November elections to the four National Minority Councils. It is very probable that these will be used for weakening the minorities’ self-governance bodies, which have recently been portrayed in Serbia as ‘possible separatists’. An ethnic escalation in Presevo and Novi Pazar could bring urgency to signing an agreement,” Cooper warned in the letter.
Cooper also drew some conclusions, including the following:
“The reactive position of the EU in the talks should shift towards encouraging solutions that are legitimate at home and which enhance stability in the region. But, given that a land swap path may yet turn out to be a blind alley, the EU should also exercise its creative imagination so as to be ready with alternative plans.”
“The EU leaders and institutions should not lose sight of the underlying paradox: As President Vucic is unlocking one door to the EU by forging a deal with Kosovo, he is closing another one by consolidating his authoritarian rule and state capture at home,” he underlined.
We publish the letter which was initially published by Gazeta Express.
Preuzimanje i objavljivanje tekstova sa portala KoSSev nije dozvoljeno bez navođenja izvora. Hvala na poštovanju etike novinarske profesije.
