Why the 11 German conditions, for the opening of Chapter 35 in the EU and Serbia negotiations, which are related to Kosovo, have become a major theme these days about which Ivica Dacic, Serbian Foreign Minister was talking about in all media? How is it related to the forthcoming round of negotiations between prime ministers of Serbia and Kosovo, on 21 April in Brussels? Interlocutors of Danas in Belgrade and Mitrovica gave different answers to these questions.
Chairman of the Committee for Kosovo and Metohija, Milovan Drecun believes that Dacic has indicated on time a problem with the Bundestag which, in his opinion, can be solved. Rada Trajkovic, the European Movement of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, believes that “it is preparing the public for agreements that have already been achieved”, especially when it comes to energy and telecommunications, about which tomorrow Aleksandar Vucic and Isa Mustafa will negotiate in Brussels. Dušan Proroković, director of the Political Council of Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS), says there are two options, “or Dacic is trying to trade something with the Kosovo Albanians in order for them to loosen around the community of Serbian municipalities or he warns EU that something is getting ready on the bridge in Kosovska Mitrovica.”
– Germany has its own conditions for the opening of Chapter 35, about which we should be determined. I do not believe that Berlin will hold on to it rigidly, if we go out with a good analysis on what is possible out of it, when and how to implement, and what is already fulfilled. Dacic speaks about it because he sees that there is the biggest problem. Germany is the most important member of the EU and it is in our best interest to simultaneously solve all the questions that we are asked – says Drecun.
Although he expected that the Bundestag will discuss Serbian fulfilment of German conditions, Drecun was categorical that there is no reason to talk about it in the Parliamentary Committee for Kosovo and Metohija and plenary in the Assembly of Serbia. He believes that parliamentary resolution was sufficient for negotiators, based on which was signed the first Brussels Agreement two years ago.
– I think that what Dacic now says is already negotiated with Pristina and Brussels, and that there are already solutions about which the public does not know and which are contrary to the Constitution of Serbia. Dacic is just trying to cover up what is done and to “cleanse” before the public. All Brussels based solutions, which Belgrade always announces only when it has initialled agreement, are acting as a bolt from the blue, because they look more like the project of amputation of Kosovo and Metohija from Serbia than solving the Serbian problem. People are surprised because the agreements have not provided even the minimum of our existence in Kosovo and Metohija – said Rada Trajkovic to Danas.
According to her, the Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic already has “promised German Chancellor Angela Merkel the removal of Peace Park, but the situation on the ground prevented this fulfilment and there is a story from corridors which says that agreed solutions for energy are harmful for Serbia”.
Dusan Prorokovic does not share her opinion that Dacic’s statements are a prelude for the announcement of already reached agreements. He estimated that energy and the area code for Kosovo, which oppose and the part of the international community, have not yet been negotiated.
– I have expected, however, resolution of these issues during Vucic’s visit to the United States. It is known that Belgrade has given up the judiciary and left it to Pristina because of Biden’s pressure on Vucic in Munich. Dacic now talks about Germany’s 11 conditions because the pressure on Belgrade is bigger than expected. The ruling coalition will not have anything, with what it might get out before the elections, if they are held at the end of 2015. Serbia has fulfilled all that was required, and the Kosovo Albanians nothing, not even the Community of Serbian municipalities, and they seek more. In addition, on behalf of Belgrade there are several parallel processes of negotiations taking place, considers Prorokovic.
