By: Gezim Krasniqi
The contradictory reactions to proposals to resolve the Kosovo issue through border changes has exposed the international community’s confusion over what its priorities are.
Recent announcements by the presidents of Serbia and Kosovo, that they are considering border changes to reach a historic peace settlement, have sent shockwaves across the region.
EU Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn says that within the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, "territorial exchange" or "border correction" is not excluded as "the final part of the puzzle", reports Radio television of Serbia, quoting the FYROM's news agency MIA.
According to Belgrade based daily Vecernje Novosti, during the upcoming visit of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic to Beijing next week, the business of the century will be concluded, adding that a financial package with more than ten contracts will be initialled.
President Aleksandar Vucic said on Thursday that Belgrade will continue talks with Pristina, but that they are unlikely to succeed in reaching an agreement.
"It is important that even if we do not reach an agreement, which is likely, that someone will have to do it after us, because without long-term peace-building we will not be in a position to continue such successful economic results," Vucic said
Vucic added that "we have to take care of children and think about them, not about how to ingratiate in one day for those who like easy solutions."
Former US Assistant Secretary of State James Rubin believes a deal on border changes between Kosovo and Serbia will not ensure Kosovo’s UN membership.
In an interview with BIRN, commenting on Russia and Serbia’s role in Kosovo’s future in the United Nations, Rubin said that Russia has become stronger since the time he was involved in US diplomacy between 1997 and 2000.
Serbian Defense Minister Aleksandar Vulin says that it bothers Kadri Veseli that there is Serbia and Serbs in Kosovo, reports Belgrade based daily Blic.
Senator Johnson came to inspect the situation, see what possibilities and ideas are for reaching an agreement, and he returns to Washington with conclusions that will decisively affect the final US position on Kosovo, says to Radio Television Serbia (RTS), Stefan Surlic, the Faculty of Political Science in Belgrade.
He told RTS that the United States sent a clear message during the visit that they are flexible, for two reasons.
The president of the coordinating body of the Government of Serbia for Presevo, Bujanovac and Medvedja Zoran Stankovic told Belgrade based daily Vecernje Novosti that the southern part of central Serbia is not threatened by any armed conflict.
Stankovic categorically claims that a war in this area will not happen, despite "constant announcements".
Interview with Matthew Palmer, acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State of the United States of America. The interview was taken during the Bled Strategic Forum 2018, which took place on 10-11 September in Bled, Slovenia, where Palmer was one of the speakers.
Serbian Interior Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic said today that Serbia will inform all Interpol General Assembly members that Kosovo should not join the organization, Tanjug news agency reports.
Stefanovic also said he informed Interpol chief Meng Hongwei about this today, and that Serbia will deliver written arguments and facts to support its stance ahead of the organization's General Assembly.