“I am afraid that the issue of independent Kosovo will be a condition for Serbia’s membership in the European Union. This request is more and more dominant opinion and Serbia must immediately position itself with a new state platform,” said President of Serbia Tomislav Nikolic, adding that no government would recognize secession of the southern province.
Based on which terms you claim that signing Kosovo independence will be the final Brussels condition?
We were requested to sign the agreement with the provisional institutions of the government in Pristina, by which we would regulate our mutual relations. Germany will not give up that condition. That condition, till recently, was hidden, but now it represents the dominant opinion in the Europe, particularly since the constitution of current European Commission.
Why do you think that behind the Agreement with Pristina is hidden the stamp on recognition of Kosovo?
Pristina claims that Kosovo is an independent state and this has the support of those countries that have recognized it. For us Kosovo and Metohija present the essential autonomy within Republic of Serbia. With such positions the final agreement is not in sight. Who could “give in”?
Did you receive the clear conditions to prepare the public for recognition of Kosovo?
Maybe someone expected that Serbia will be led by the people who will accept Kosovo independence. Now it is clear that Serbian Government and President will never be engaged in such a process. What remains? Toppling the government and President so that someone would accept all the demands? If Kosovo is condition for the EU membership we will not accept it. There is no treasure, gold or money that would force me to give up on Kosovo.
Does that mean that non-opening of the negotiation chapters with EU are the consequence of that Serbia’s position?
It is a true that everything depends on Kosovo, though recognition has not been set as a condition for EU accession. We fulfilled conditions for opening of all 34 Chapters, but negotiations didn’t start. The question is whether Chapter 35 was imposed to us, so that we would never join the EU.
When Serbia will bring the new platform on K&M, which you announced?
Immediately after May holidays the platform should be on prime minister’s desk. The government will say whether the plan is feasible or not. Then the Ministers will formally decide whether to send this, or a slightly amended draft, to the National Assembly. I think we should not have different opinions on this issue.
What will happen if the essential split-up still happens?
The government will continue to lead internal and foreign policy, since it is the constitutional authority of the government.
Do you have identical opinion about Kosovo with PM?
Yes. We have identical opinion.
What will be the essential idea of this new platform?
That Serbia will never recognize independent Kosovo. That Serbia, in good faith, negotiate with Pristina institutions and rounds up essential autonomy for K&M, which should be regulated by the Constitutional Law. We will suggest the autonomy of Community of Serb municipalities within interim Kosovo institutions, as well institutional link with Serbia.
Will that finally present our “red lines”?
Yes. We must clearly say which those limitsare; lines we will never cross. Let us all support that policy and let everybody know ‘that is Serbia’!
Why this is the right moment for the new state plan?
I see that Pristina gradually forms its institutions. They insist on issues that are related to the statehood and eliminate the Serbian influence in Kosovo related to the ownership over property, or energy. They ignore agreement on the Community /Association of the Serb Municipalities. There are initiations of the idea on ‘Great Albania’. There is no more time.
Do you warn western interlocutors that dreams on ‘Great Albania’ are starting to realize?
I am persuading all western interlocutors for years that there is a risk. Everybody was saying to me that the EU will never allow such a thing. Then I asked them what if Kosovo that you recognized and Albania organize referendum on unification. How you would prevent them? Now I can see a mild reaction of the West. I doubt the sincerity of those who said they will not allow the creation of a “Greater Albania”.
