Former Foreign Minister of Spain Miguel Angel Moratinos on the double standards of the EU and Kosovo precedent: You have deserved a long time ago the start of negotiations. I sleep peacefully, I did not recognize Kosovo.
Thus in an interview with Novosti, the question of whether Serbia will face some new conditions before getting the date, corresponds the former Foreign Minister of Spain Miguel Angel Moratinos.
The Spanish diplomat, who will be linked to our country through the work of the Center for International Relations and Sustainable Development, founded by Vuk Jeremic, said that Belgrade has deserved long time ago to start membership negotiations.
Whether Serbia did enough on reforms, normalizing relations with Pristina?
-In my opinion – yes. Of course, the more progresses the negotiation process, Serbia will have to work in many areas, most notably on the rule of law. The sooner you reach level to become a full member, the better for the Balkans and for the whole of Europe.
The 2020th is mentioned as a possible year of our entry into the EU. Is that realistic?
– The deadline is ambitious, but not unrealistic. It took nine years for Spain.
Do you have the impression that the EU supports more Pristina than Belgrade in the process of normalization and that in the policy toward our country applies double standards?
– Belgrade is absolutely right when it says that the EU, the international community has double standards. It is one of the major flaws of the international system today. People, nations, countries, must fight against this. Unfortunately, the EU is the balance in favour of Pristina, since most states recognized Kosovo. This is evident through the process of dialogue, in which the EU approach clearly is not fair and objective.
How the process of normalizing relations with Pristina at all is possible when one side is constantly violating a deal?
– Dialogue is the only way. But what we cannot accept is the unilateral declaration of independence. When you do this, it means you do not want dialogue; you do not want to solve problems. It really is a great danger to the international community today.
Is there any pressure on the five EU countries that have not recognized Kosovo, including Spain, to change its position?
– When I was a diplomat I have put up tremendous pressure. You cannot even imagine the quantity. But one of the things I’m proud of is that I resisted the pressure of Spain recognizing Kosovo. Now I can sleep peacefully.
Will the position of Spain in relation to KiM remain the same?
– I think so. Both government and opposition in Spain have the same attitude – that international law and order must be respected.
Whether Serbia will have to recognize Kosovo in order to become a member of the EU?
– The two parties are the ones that have to agree on the final solution. Brussels does not need to use it as denomination – that the final agreement between Belgrade and Pristina causes full integration of Serbia into the EU.
In Serbia again is actual debate over which path is right – to the East or to the West…
– Serbia belongs to the European Union. That’s my message to the citizens, you are Europe. The whole Balkan is Europe. The question of whether to go to the East or to the West is dilemma from the past. The world has changed. Serbia must be part of the new Europe, which has to have a special relationship with Russia. Europe must not become an old fortress of 15 or 28 countries, but to move the boundaries, to open up.
What, in your opinion, for our country means the fact that an organization like CIRSD, which will deal with creating a vision of the world, is located just in Serbia?
– Vuk Jeremic came to the brilliant idea of creating CIRSD, which will discuss key issues that will affect the future of the 21st century. Serbia needs to recover and return to the international arena. To regain the status it had in certain moments, when it was the center of international relations with the Non-Aligned Movement. Now we need to renew this capacity. In Serbian political leaders I see the experience and the ability to watch and work and beyond Serbia, Balkans.
Jeremic perfect candidate for UN
The public talks a lot about possibility of Jeremic being a candidate for a future UN Secretary General. What do you think about this and what are his chances?
– As I understand, he did not make a decision, but in my opinion, he would be the perfect candidate. It is what the United Nations of 21 century needs – he has the experience, energy, vision, capacity. His chances are great and I hope he will engage in this race. By his election and Serbia and the international community would gain.
