Ambassador of Norway in Kosovo, Jan Braathu was a guest of the Free Serbian (Slobodno Srpski) where he said that in this situation all are losers, because Kosovo’s reputation was damaged.
“The efforts that have been made in the last 8 years, to try to build the image of Kosovo, which was more positive, I would say realistically positive, is very much damaged,” said Braathu, when he was asked about violence in recent months.
He was responding to questions about the election process of Hashim Thaci for the President of Kosovo and the violence of the Kosovo opposition, about the significance of the ZSO and the prolongation of the process of its formation, as well as the Special Court.
He reiterated that the international representatives do not criticize the fact that the Kosovo opposition protests against the two agreements – the agreement on the ZSO and the demarcation of the border with Montenegro, but criticized the method of protest – the use of violence, which involves throwing Molotov cocktails, tear gas and pepper spray.
He said that representatives of the Serbian List performed their duties in the Assembly of Kosovo because they were present and constituted a quorum and therefore enabled the election. Braathu considered this as a good thing because what would be the alternative, perhaps elections, but in current atmosphere it would be more sensitive than usual. Given that soon Serbia will have elections, he believes, that it would not be good to have elections at the same time on both sides, because it would lead to total confusion which no one wants.
He said he did not know whether the Serbian MPs voted for Thaci, adding: “I think some did not, and that’s fine.”
He said that against the agreement on the ZSO was not only the opposition in Kosovo, but also and the public.
He said that a message was conveyed to the people of Kosovo that the Association/Community of Serb municipalities was kind of the Republika Srpska and that he does not think so.
“I do not think so. On the contrary, I am strongly convinced that this is not the case. The key to this whole story is the formulation of the Statute for the Community. The work has not yet begun, and it should be initiated – the EU and we are saying the same thing. We have to take this into account and to respect the political environment,” said the ambassador.
Asked whether he expects the formation of the ZSO this year, Braathu said:
“To be honest I do not know, but I hope, as it is an obligation.” He added that “the international partners in Kosovo are patient for the time being.”
