British Ambassador Jonathan Hargreaves emphasized the importance of peace, stability, and cooperation between Kosovo and Serbia, highlighting the need for full implementation of the Basic Agreement and the Ohrid Agreement by both parties. In an interview with KoSSev, Ambassador Hardgraves expressed frustration over the stalled negotiations, which have hampered progress towards a lasting resolution in the region.
The interview took place earlier in the week, just before Kosovo authorities, supported by police forces, launched a new wave of closures of remaining Serbian institutions in the North on Friday, including municipal offices, the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, the Pension and Disability Insurance Fund, and a public utility company.
“It is clear to me that Kosovo has a clear vision as a modern, democratic, multi-ethnic and European state. We will do all we can to support that and to promote peace and stability in this region. But that will not be realised fully until all aspects of the Basic Agreement and Ohrid Agreement have been implemented, on both the Kosovan and Serbian sides,” he said.
Hargreaves recalled that the United Kingdom had previously criticized other actions by the Kosovo government. „Be it the sudden move on the dinar, or the closure of the Serbian Postal Savings Banks and Serbian Post Office branches. I have joined the international community in urging the Prime Minister to ensure that his government is taking such action in co-ordination with us and with local communities so that they can happen in ways that protect people who need protecting.”
He also stressed the importance of Kosovo’s actions to instill confidence in the Serbian community that they have a future as citizens of Kosovo. „With our Quint and other international partners, the UK always stands ready to support action that helps persuade and reassure Kosovo-Serbs that they have a future here as citizens of Kosovo.”
However, Hargreaves acknowledged that more must be done by the Kosovo government to make the Serbian community feel that they „feel like this is their home and confident that they have a future here“.
Reaffirming the commitment of the United Kingdom, its Quint partners, and the European Union to a sovereign, independent, and multiethnic Kosovo that has normalized its relations with Serbia, Hargreaves noted, „We have made very clear our concern that some of the actions taken in the past two years have been taken with insufficient attention to their impact on local communities, particularly the most vulnerable. We continue to encourage the Government of Kosovo to coordinate with friends in the international community and to take local concerns into account.”
The ambassador reiterated this sentiment on Friday, albeit in a milder tone, following the recent actions in northern Kosovo. „Actions which fundamentally affect the wellbeing of Kosovo-Serbs and other non-majority communities require careful consultation with Kosovo’s steadfast friends and security partners, in the context of wider dialogue. Today’s actions in northern Kosovo were carried out without this and risk fuelling tensions and affecting the most vulnerable.”
Pride in the UK’s Role in Kosovo
Ambassador Hargreaves first visited Kosovo in 2001 as a member of the British Department for International Development. Reflecting on that time, he recalled how memories of the conflict were still fresh, leading to visible trauma among many people. Today, he sees a different situation. „I have been impressed by the amazing progress in the development of Kosovo’s economy, public institutions and democracy. I am very proud of the role that the UK has played with other international partners in working with Kosovo’s government and communities on these achievements.”
He emphasized the need for additional efforts to strengthen small and medium-sized enterprises, speed-up the energy transition, and empower women and girls, particularly at the local level. „Of course, there remain many things to be done,“ he added, pointing to ongoing challenges such as organized crime, which continues to be a problem. „The United Kingdom remains committed to deepening its partnerships in Kosovo and across the region to tackling this problem, which has real impacts further downstream in the UK.”
Ambassador Hargreaves also highlighted unresolved issues such as „acknowledgement of the past, uncertainty for families of the missing, the pain of those who continue to suffer as a result of the war, the uncertainties felt by Kosovo’s non-majority communities.“ He stressed that there are still very real tensions and security risks, making NATO’s KFOR mission more critical than ever for maintaining a safe and secure environment for everyone in Kosovo.
The Deep Uncertainty of Kosovo Serbs
Addressing the situation of Kosovo Serbs, Ambassador Hargreaves acknowledged the deep uncertainty and insecurity they feel, often lacking trust in the ability of both Pristina and Belgrade to address their concerns.
“If I could summarise my impressions from talking to local Kosovo-Serbs in one sentence, it is that many people are feeling deep uncertainty and insecurity, and often are lacking faith in the ability of governments in both Pristina and Belgrade to listen to their concerns. I have the impression that many Kosovo-Serbs feel that their interests are almost unrepresented by political or civic voices. It is very regrettable that most Kosovo-Serbs boycotted the most recent opportunities for representative democracy, at the behest of Srpska Lista.”
Despite these challenges, he noted some successful steps taken by the Kosovo government, such as resolving electricity bills in the same way as the rest of the country and implementing agreements on license plates and the conversion of driver’s licenses, after initial difficulties.
“It is legitimate of the Kosovan state to have these expectations of its citizens throughout the country. The UK has done its best to help where it sees the Government of Kosovo is taking positive steps, whether through our work on verification of diplomas or support to the multilingual information online platform that help all non-majority communities engage with the state’s institutions, or by helping efforts to communicate in the Serbian language more effectively.”
The Importance of Accountability for Banjska Incident
Reflecting on the Banjska incident, Ambassador Hardgraves stressed the importance of holding those responsible accountable, particularly Milan Radoičić, whose actions during the event were of significant concern. „It is vitally important that Milan Radoicic, and others who were responsible, are brought to account effectively. I think that until this is done there is a risk that faith in Serbia negotiating in the Dialogue in good faith is eroded.”
Asked to comment on the speculations that arose after the events in Banjska, specially following the allegations made by British MP Alicia Kearns about a possible role of Britain, or some elements of the British establishment in this event, before the conflict, Hargreaves replied: „I know that KoSSev, through the work that you do to combat fake news, misinformation and disinformation, knows that whenever there is a major incident such as what happened at Banjska, there is a huge amount of baseless speculation. The only UK ‘involvement’ was to fulfill our obligation to NATO’s KFOR by deploying 600 troops from KFOR’s strategic reserve force, at the request of COMKFOR, in the aftermath of the attack. We are proud of the role these troops played in ensuring that the situation stabilised in the following weeks and months.”
The CIA Director’s Visit
When asked about the recent visit of CIA Director William Burns, Hardgraves was tight-lipped but reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to the region’s stability and Kosovo itself.
„I think that is a question better suited to one of Kosovo’s many TV analysts. I cannot speak for US colleagues, but from where I stand the US has been consistent in its commitment to the security and stability of both Kosovo and the entire Western Balkans region and I don’t see that changing,” he concluded.
Preuzimanje i objavljivanje tekstova sa portala KoSSev nije dozvoljeno bez navođenja izvora. Hvala na poštovanju etike novinarske profesije.
