New Kosova Report

No EU for Serbia without recognition of Kosovo

Tuesday, 22 July 2008

In an interview for Deutsche Welle, the German expert on the Balkans, Franz Lothar Altmann gives an evaluation of the current situation in the Balkans and particularly the foreign relations of Serbia towards its neighbor Kosovo and the European Union.

"Belgrade has to think wisely about the path it chooses for its future, because it is very much related to the compromise in regards to its neighbor, Kosovo, and the recognition of its independence as one of the conditions," says the German analyst Altmann.

He notes that "pursuing a path of double standards - in one way seeking to become a member of the EU and on the other seeking to keep Kosovo - is impossible and completely in contrary to the European Union SAA policies of allowing Serbia in its family. In a away it's an indirect pressure on Serbia to choose the right path, the European Union."

Regarding the support of Serbia for illegal parallel structures in the north of Kosovo, the German analyst says that “this is a plan, masterminded by radicals of Serbia which seem to have found support in the new government as well. This is not the path for Serbia to the European Union and as such it will not work," adds the German analyst.

Another issue is the deployment of EU’s EULEX mission to Kosovo where Altmann stresses that "this is another issue where Serbia needs to understand that it cannot pursue membership in the EU while it attempts to obstruct the European Union mission in Kosovo."

Another expert on the Balkans from the United States International Peace Institute, Daniel Serwer, during an interview for Radio Free Europe stressed that "Serbia needs to get off of its delusional myths over Kosovo. Kosovo is sovereign and independent."

Serwer adds that "Serbia must recognize the independence of Kosovo and establish good relations with its neighbor in order to be able to pursue a European Union membership. If Serbia refuses to change, it will continue to remain an instability factor in the Balkans. There will be severe social and economic damages to Serbia while its neighbors will prosper and continue pursuing full membership in the EU."

“Regardless of the other developments in Serbia, without recognizing Kosovo independence, there is no chance for Serbia to enter EU. European Union guidelines are very clear on this issue, “ concludes Serwer.

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Sasa said:

	... Not wanting to join EU - however willing to go back to free Kosovo - I see a perfect scenario for me or my family in the future than...
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December 26, 2008
Votes: +0

simon said:

	... Just allow 200.000 SERBS to come back and leave in peace!
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August 17, 2008
Votes: +1

B. Obama said:

	... I don't think this should be forced on Serbia this is not the 1990 and should not place Serbia in the same boat as the past. Move on in life and leave the past in the past.
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July 24, 2008
Votes: -3

Noir said:

	... "He notes that "pursuing a path of double standards - in one way seeking to become a member of the EU and on the other seeking to keep Kosovo - is impossible and completely in contrary to the European Union SAA policies of allowing Serbia in its family." Haha... EU doesn't have double standards? With China, everyone has double standards.
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July 23, 2008
Votes: -3

bluerose799 said:

...
The so called Yugoslavia Socialism enabled Serbia, under the Milosevic regime, to rise to power on a platform of anti-Albanian racism, to brutally occupy Kosova for ten years.
They reshaped Kosova population killing military-age males, raped as much as they could females, expelled million Kosovars from Kosova, not counting 500,000 Internaly Displaced used as human shield by Serbian troops and more… The Kosovar’s assets, money, properties, schools, livestock, agriculture equipments, etc., were stolen and/or destroyed systematically, by Serbian Nation. Their plan aimed to wipe out Kosovars from their land and replace them with at least 1,000,000 Serbian. Serbia with these barbarian, malicious and unprecedented acts, turned Kosova Back to the Stone Age. To get back on Their Feet and Start moving forward, Kosova initially needs an Economical Bust.
After centuries in the dark and almost buried under the ground, by Serbian Chauvinism, Radicalism and Terrorism, now Kosovars can speak their language and raise their children not as Serbian’s Slave but as FREEMAN. Kosova and the Kosovars are NEWBORN.
With the declaration of Kosova’s independence, with it’s independent government and constitution, recognized by some 40 nations and more to come - The status of the Republic of Serbia remains UNDEFINED - (WITH Kosova or WITHOUT Kosova).
As long as the status will remain undefined, the entrance gates to EU for Serbia must be kept CLOSE TIGHT. As well, as for Kosova too.
Serbia is ignoring the Kosova Reality, and is trying to turn the wheel of history back.
While Kosova is making progress toward the Democracy, Recognition and Integration in the European Community, chances for the Anachronistic and Troublesome Serbia, to join EU, are slim.
If Operation "Storm" had not taken place, a Greater Serbia would exist today. The Slavic expansion toward the west has come to a halt for now. Russia’s backing of Serbia is part of a more muscular Russian policy, and a desire to stand up to the United States and the EU across the board. The problem with Russia’s position is that it has the potential to lead to bloodshed.
The status quo is very unstable and friable. If EU won’t consider the real threat today, then tomorrow is going to be too late.
" The wolf changes his coat but not his vices"