The outgoing EU Special Envoy for Kosovo Samuel Žbogar says that his aim was to assist in promoting a peaceful, democratic and multi-ethnic Kosovo and in this sense he is leaving the position pleased.
He, however, says in an interview for daily Jedinstvo, that there are still a lot of open issues for the multi-ethnic Kosovo, but that the EU sees the multi-ethnic Kosovo as the only possible variant of Kosovo and is working to strengthen it.
There is no doubt that the Association/Community of Serb municipalities (ZSO) should be formed, Zbogar says, adding that the fact must be taken into account that the Serbs see the ZSO as the only guarantor for their rights and safety.
“There is also agreement from Brussels which regulates it. Even the Constitutional Court, for which the Serbs do not want to hear maybe, said that Association/Community of Serb municipalities need to be formed, that this is a legal obligation of Kosovo from April 2013 and the agreement was signed by Kosovo,” said Žbogar.
He points out that there are some Albanians who fear that the ZSO will prevent the integration of Serbs in Kosovo society.
Which is why he said a few days ago that the ZSO cannot be imposed to any side, and it led to the reaction of the Serbian List, what has surprised him.
“I actually thought it cannot be imposed on the Kosovo side if they do not agree, and cannot be imposed on the Serb community if they do not want it. You cannot impose a community that does not suit them and by which they will not be protected. Therefore, should be a lot of dialogue, because it will not be easy,” said Žbogar.
On the observation that Pristina wants the ZSO with the status of associations without any authority and that the Serbian side does not agree nor they would never agree to such a thing, he says that it would be seen at the time of writing of the Statute.
“We are now waiting for the beginning of work on the Statute. I think we should soon be working on the Statute, and that we should be working together, “said Žbogar.
Asked whether the EU as a mediator can exert pressure on Pristina to start implementing agreed, he said that the Union does not operate on the principle of pressuring, but persuasion.
As for the return of displaced persons, he says that it is minimal and always difficult when many years have passed after the conflict, but he expresses hope that the situation will relax, through dialogue between Serbs and Albanians, and would be easier for the return of Serbs.
Speaking about the Serbian cultural and religious heritage, Žbogar says that in a certain zone no one can do anything without the consent of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
“The Church has the full right to manage its assets and has jurisdiction over its property. They did not get extraterritoriality, but they got all the guarantees for operating autonomously. It’s all in the laws of Kosovo,” said Žbogar.
Žbogar says that the commitment of Belgrade for the European path is clearly visible through dialogue with Pristina and through the implementation of the agreement with Pristina.
