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Edward Joseph: Kosovo is independent, Serbia to accept reality (VOA)

By   /  10/04/2018  /  No Comments

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Edward Joseph, professor at John Hopkins University and expert on the Balkans, told Voice of America that he is certain that for the U.S. administration a frozen conflict between Kosovo and Serbia is not the right solution “because it will only create additional conflicts”. He said a frozen conflict would also impede Serbia’s goal to join the European Union. “It is clear that the EU-brokered dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina is not functioning, the status quo is not sustainable and it can lead to new incidents … Kosovo’s membership of the UN also depends on Serbia, even though the recognition of Kosovo’s independence is not crucial,” he said. “If Belgrade reaches a full agreement with Pristina on its status, I think Moscow and Beijing will reduce their opposition. Of course we don’t know this for certain … But I am certain that Belgrade has the key. President Vucic should do what he wrote a year ago in an op-ed piece: it is time for Serbs to get rid of illusions and to accept the reality about Kosovo”. Joseph also said no one in Serbia should expect dramatic changes in the U.S policy vis-à-vis Belgrade and Pristina. “In Washington there is consensus on two facts: Kosovo is independent and Serbs living there have their rights. One must accept these two facts: the reality on the ground and the need to protect the Serbs living in the north and south of the River Ibar,” he said. Joseph also said he was inclined to believe that authorities in Belgrade know who killed Kosovo Serb political leader Oliver Ivanovic.

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