While both sides should take steps to deescalate tensions in the north of Kosovo, Serbia, in particular, should not be tolerated for the instability it is causing in the region, including violating Kosovo’s sovereignty, U.S. Congressman for the Bronx, Ritchie Torres told Euronews Albania.
Torres has spoken out on many occasions on the perceived harsh stance taken towards Kosovo amid recently heightened tensions with neighboring Serbia.
Speaking to Alice Taylor for Inside Albania on Euronews Albania, he explained Kosovo is a leader in regional democracy and should not be punished.
“Kosovo is becoming more democratic, not less, whereas Serbia is becoming more autocratic, not less. Kosovo is unwaveringly allied with the West whereas Serbia is essentially a satellite in the orbit of Russia.”
When asked why he thinks the U.S. and EU are taking a tough stance against Pristina, Torres said he wished he knew the answer but that it is clear the West is taking “a one-sided approach that favors Serbia and disfavors Kosovo”.
“Why on earth would the United States denounce Kosovo for ceding democratically elected mayors, which is an exercise of national sovereignty, without denouncing Serbia for inciting instability in the north?” he said.
Tensions increased on 26 May after recently elected ethnic Albanian mayors tried to enter their offices in the Serb-majority north of Kosovo following local elections. The vote was called after Kosovo Serbs which refuse to recognize Pristina’s powers, resigned en masse from all state institutions and then chose to boycott the vote upon request of Belgrade.
Protests and violence flared in the northern municipalities and over 30 NATO troops were injured along with journalists, protestors and police.
Three Kosovar policemen were then arrested within Kosovo’s border and taken to Serbia, something in direct violation of the Kumanovo agreement.
“And notice that the European Union has said nothing about the apprehension of the Kosovar police officers at the hands of the Serbian regime. So there’s a real perception of a double standard within the Albanian diaspora and among elected officials who are supportive of the Albanian diaspora, such as myself,” Torres said.
He called the silence from the EU “deafening” and “inexplicable”.
“The silence from the European Union is deafening, and it’s inexplicable to me. What is the West going to gain from a policy of appeasing an autocratic Serbia and alienating a democratic Kosovo?” he asked.
Torres continued that Kosovo has been shown to be the strongest democracy in the Western Balkans.
“According to independent assessments, Kosovo is so democratic that it secured a more than 200 million dollars grant from the U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation, which is a recognition of the progress that Kosovo has made toward good governance, whereas Serbia is moving in the exact opposite direction,” he continued.
Torres also noted that Serbia has repeatedly refused to sanction Russia and it is President Vladimir Putin for “his illegal invasion of Ukraine”.
When asked what he would say to both Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Serbian President Aleksander Vučić if he had chance, Ritchie said, “I would tell both sides to honor their obligations under the Brussels agreement and the Ohrid agreement, but I would be crystal clear to Serbia that we will have zero tolerance for the instability that it’s causing in the north.”
