A retired Yugoslav diplomat Vladislav Jovanovic assessed that Serbia’s right to sovereignty over Kosovo and Metohija is stronger than the right of self-declared Kosovo to its own sovereignty, saying other countries that have interests in the Balkans would decide on the resolution of Kosovo issue, and not only the US, Blic daily reported.
Commenting on a letter President Trump sent to Serbian and Kosovo presidents, Aleksandar Vucic and Hashim Thaci, Jovanovic said that US would love the most to speed up the process of reaching an agreement by its influence and crown it with Vucic’s and Thaci’s arrival to Washington.
However, Jovanovic wondered how much it is achievable given the present situation, adding the US have a plan “B” and it is to accept the presence of others in making the final agreement, that could look like a new form of a dialogue and some sort of international conference.
He noted that others are also interested in the situation in the Balkans, including Russia, China and Turkey and that their interests should be considered at the end as well. Jovanovic opined the number of participants in the dialogue could be extended, not in a direct but more in overseeing aspect.
According to him the EU would still take part in the process, but without primary role. Russia would join as well if not at the beginning, then in the final phase.
“This is the framework that would certainly be more impartial and favorable to Serbia, because voices of those who are not in favor of further Serbia’s weakening and interested in agreement would be heard, and it would not be about imposed and dictated solution from the West,” Jovanovic underlined.
Asked how compromise in the case of Kosovo could look like, Jovanovic responded it could be a division of territories, with the exchange of the population if needed, Serbian media reported.
