Kosovo’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Donika Gërvalla, said on Saturday that without the United States and NATO, the European Union is a “paper tiger” in terms of security, sparking reactions from American and European envoys as well as the opposition at home.

During a speech at the Dubrovnik Forum, Minister Gërvalla stated that the key question for security in the Western Balkans is whether the EU can guarantee security and peace in Europe.

“My assessment is that the EU cannot. Because it is not capable and willing to provide security. The reasons are obvious: there is no political will, there is much disagreement within the bloc, and without the United States and NATO, the EU is a ‘paper tiger’ in terms of security,” said Gërvalla. She further added that Europe has no success stories in its efforts to prevent wars.

“We need a new strategy and new people who strive to find a better way. Unlike others, we are not trying to use the EU as a cash register. We value European values more than European money,” said Minister Gërvalla.

• Escobar: All the positive developments in the Balkans are a result of EU-US cooperation

American envoy Gabriel Escobar, in contrast to Minister Gërvalla, believes that “all the positive developments in the Balkans have been a result of the combination of European Union and United States cooperation”.

Escobar stated that the Western Balkans region is divided into two paths: one with NATO member states that are more stable, contribute to regional stability, and are on the path towards European integration, and the other with those who consume the attention and resources of others in the region while facing their own challenges.

According to him, the fundamental differences lie in the fact that the states that are part of NATO and have experienced the greatest developments are the ones that have overcome the challenges of ethnic rivalries. Those that continue to be led by leaders who believe that populism, nationalism, and ethnic rivalries are the way forward face more challenges.

• Lajčák: The EU is not perfect, but it is the dream of countries knocking on its door

European envoy Miroslav Lajčák stated that the European Union is far from being perfect, but “it is the best we have. It is the most successful union of states. There is no other union on this planet that has offered better political and economic stability. I think membership in the EU is a dream of countries knocking on the bloc’s door,” he said.

The government of Kosovo has faced criticism from Western diplomacy and has faced punitive measures from the European Union due to tensions in its northern region, where Serbian protesters took to the streets in opposition to the appointment of ethnic Albanian mayors resulting from the elections on 23 April, which were boycotted by Serbian parties.

The West seeks to reduce tensions through a European plan that includes suspending police operations in the north, relocating municipal mayors to alternative offices, and holding early elections with minimal Serbian participation.

Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti has expressed support for holding new elections and reducing the presence of special police units in the north, along with establishing the rule of law.

Meanwhile, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić stated that the unsolved issue is the “simultaneous removal of municipal mayors and the people around municipal buildings”, referring to the Serbian protesters.

• Reactions in Kosovo after Minister Gërvalla’s speech

Representatives of the opposition in Kosovo criticized Minister Gërvalla’s speech, describing her statement about the EU as “irresponsible”.

“For reference, ‘paper tiger’ is how Mao Zedong referred to the United States,” wrote Vlora Çitaku, the deputy leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo, on social media.

“The diplomatic situation of Kosovo is miserable and dangerous,” said Sibel Halimi, the spokesperson for the Democratic League of Kosovo.

The Secretary-General of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo, Muharrem Nitaj wrote, among other things, that “at the very least, the President and the Prime Minister should issue a statement clarifying that what the Minister of Foreign Affairs said is not the official stance of the Republic of Kosovo”.

The opposition strongly criticized the government of Kosovo for damaging relations with allies and warned of actions to counter the government’s approach to the crisis in the northern part of the country.