During an interview for Radio Free Europe, the Kosovo Serb analyst Radomir Radiq explains the road to Kosovo independence, emphasizing his reasons for supporting it and why he thinks Kosovo Serbs need to integrate in the Kosovar society.

 

"The independence of Kosovo did not happen when the Parliament of Kosovo declared it. It happened way before February 17; Kosovo was de facto independent since 1999; however, we must explain the main reasons to what brought the Kosovo independence," says Radiq.

"Certainly, the policies of Slobodan Miloseviq played large role in this event. I have reiterated numerous times that that policy has been a complete regression and it has been a policy purely indented to ethnically cleanse Kosovar Albanians," says Radiq

Meanwhile, after the Kumanova Agreement that ended the NATO actions against Serbia, Radiq says that "Kosovo established its independent insitutions, a separate judicial and economic system, independent monetary and fiscal policy were completely established and they were under full control of Kosovar Albanians."

Later, Kosovo established its constitution as a guarantor of its sovregnity, and before that the declaration of its independence. “We also must accept the fact that the Republic of Kosovo has been recognized by most European nations, the United States, Japan, Canada and Australia. It is a matter of time when we will witness the recognition by two thirds of the world," says Radiq.

Regarding the new reality Radiq adds that "only the blind could not see that Kosovo is an independent state. On the other hand, if the Serbia wants to continue to deceive Serb people and try to build its existence upon this deception, particularly its political existence, that's a different story. As a realistic person and in the position of the director of the Multiethnic Society Association, I only want to accept the reality of the situation, meaning that all the institutions that a sovereign state must have, the Republic of Kosovo indeed does have them."

Whereas Serbia must take a different approach and perceive the new reality in Kosovo, if it truly cares about the lives of Serbs in Kosovo and Serb people in Serbia.

"Serbia must change its course towards Kosovo and let Kosovo Serbs decide their fate. Serbs must integrate into the Kosovo institutions which are the only way to better their daily lives. Overall, Kosovo must continue to remain multiethnic. Its constitution gives full protection to all minorities with high European standards, and especially to Serbs. I am confident that Kosovo Serbs can integrate and find a bright future in the independent Kosovo," says Radiq.

Radiq is hopeful of the future and believes that Albanians and Serbs relations will change as Kosovo state continues to builds its democratic institutions.

 "Also I want to take this opportunity to appeal to all Kosovo Serbs to accept the reality, and begin to build new healthy Albanian-Serb relations not upon the past but future," concludes Radiq.