European Union Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue Miroslav Laj\u010d\u00e1k stated that during the latest crisis management meeting in Brussel, the two sides agreed that new elections are one of the key elements to resolve the current crisis in northern Kosovo, however, they did not reach a consensus on how to achieve de-escalation. In an interview with Euronews Serbia, Laj\u010d\u00e1k emphasized that the situation is serious and no one is pretending that there isn\u2019t a major crisis. He mentioned that there is no formal deadline for Belgrade and Pristina to fulfill the three demands of the EU to de-escalate the situation, but he highlighted that the tension is so high that it requires the involvement of top world officials, which affects the image of Serbia, Kosovo, and the region.<\/p>\n
Regarding recent comments made by Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and the ban on trucks carrying Serbian goods entering Kosovo, as well as how the European Union views the arrest of Serbs in Kosovo, Laj\u010d\u00e1k addressed these issues in the interview with Euronews Serbia.<\/p>\n
Euronews Serbia:<\/strong> Starting with the recent comments we have had these days from Josep Borrell after the meeting with foreign ministers of EU member states. They are already losing patience, and we heard that new measures are planned for Pristina. Will there be measures for Belgrade as well, and how is it generally perceived?<\/p>\n Miroslav Laj\u010d\u00e1k:<\/strong> I am criticized for being more on Pristina\u2019s side than Belgrade\u2019s, but at the same time, I am criticized for being more on Belgrade\u2019s side than Pristina\u2019s. I believe that shows I am somewhere in the middle, as it should be. We are very concerned about the situation. For over a month, we have had hundreds or thousands of people on the streets. We have Kosovo Special Police and KFOR personnel. This situation clearly shows that provocations can occur. We have a very tense atmosphere. That\u2019s why it is crucial for us to achieve de-escalation. People need to go back to their lives, and we need to go back to our work and focus on political issues rather than security. In this situation, European institutions, member states, and the European Commission have decided on some measures to increase their influence on the parties. It is not my initiative. As a negotiator, I do not play a role in that. The measures are related to one or the other side not fulfilling what is expected. You are well aware that these are EU demands based on three points: de-escalation, new elections in the north with the participation of Kosovo Serbs, and the return to dialogue and implementation of the Ohrid Agreement.<\/p>\n Euronews Serbia:<\/strong> How long will you have patience to wait? Have you given the parties a deadline to fulfill these points?<\/p>\n Miroslav Laj\u010d\u00e1k:<\/strong> There is no formal deadline. But in politics, everything is interconnected. Look at how many high-level international representatives are engaged in this issue. We had telephone calls from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The situation is so tense and serious that the highest world officials have to deal with it and get involved in finding a solution. This has an impact on the atmosphere within the international community and the image of Kosovo, Serbia, and the entire region. Therefore, I think it is in the best interest of Serbia and Kosovo to resolve this issue and for the region to focus on European matters rather than crisis management.<\/p>\n Euronews Serbia:<\/strong> To some extent, you are criticized that it seems as if the words of the EU are losing their strength in terms of one specific word, and that is de-escalation. We have been hearing about de-escalation for a month now. Without intending to diminish its significance, understanding what you mean, what else could be done more specifically to achieve de-escalation?<\/p>\n Miroslav Laj\u010d\u00e1k:<\/strong> De-escalation means that mayors withdraw from the buildings they currently occupy, primarily in Leposavi\u0107. They should work from other premises, as two mayors are already doing. It means they engage in administrative tasks but not political ones. They have not received a mandate for that from the voters in the Serbian community. At the same time, we expect the demonstrators, special police, and KFOR to withdraw. We need peace, people to return to their lives, and for us to return to our work. That is de-escalation. The next step is to discuss when we will have new elections and how we will achieve them.<\/p>\n Euronews Serbia:<\/strong> Do you expect new elections in the coming months?<\/p>\n Miroslav Laj\u010d\u00e1k:<\/strong> New elections must certainly be held in the coming months. That was one of the points on which Vu\u010di\u0107 and Kurti agreed. It is clear that the mayors do not have the legitimacy they should have. Mayors with legitimacy can only be those chosen by Serbs from Kosovo. The question we are dealing with is when and how we will achieve that. And, of course, for Serbs to feel motivated to be safe and for the elections to be free and representative.<\/p>\n Euronews Serbia:<\/strong> Do you think they agreed on that in the previous meeting held in Brussel? What are your impressions? Are there any indications that they can agree on other things?<\/p>\n Miroslav Laj\u010d\u00e1k:<\/strong> That meeting last Thursday in Brussel was a crisis management meeting. It was not a meeting dedicated to normalization and dialogue, unfortunately. The positive aspect is that both Vu\u010di\u0107 and Kurti realized how serious the situation is. No one hides or pretends that we don\u2019t have a serious crisis in the north. Secondly, they agreed that one of the key elements of resolving the crisis is holding new elections. The point where they did not agree is the question of de-escalation. How these mayors will function and where they will operate from.<\/p>\n Euronews Serbia:<\/strong> Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama met with Borrell. After those meetings, he mentioned a detail that intrigued the public, regarding the possibility of holding a conference with the leaders of Belgrade, Pristina, the EU, and the U.S. Is that an initiative of the EU or Edi Rama?<\/p>\n Miroslav Laj\u010d\u00e1k:<\/strong> That is Edi Rama\u2019s initiative. I must say that he plays an active and constructive role in the entire crisis because he has a good understanding of the situation on the ground. Of course, as the Prime Minister of Albania, his voice carries enough authority to be heard. I am in regular contact with him, and I know how much time and authority he has invested in finding a solution. That is the proposal he came up with. We are in daily contact with the U.S. and key European capitals. But, of course, the best platform for resolving the issue is dialogue, and we need to return to dialogue.<\/p>\n Euronews Serbia:<\/strong> Would you exclude the possibility of such a conference?<\/p>\n Miroslav Laj\u010d\u00e1k:<\/strong> There were no discussions about the expectations of that conference. It is too early to speculate on that. Once again, I want to emphasize that I see Rama\u2019s role as constructive.<\/p>\n Euronews Serbia:<\/strong> Was his proposal regarding the Association\/Community of Serb-majority Municipalities constructive?<\/p>\n Miroslav Laj\u010d\u00e1k:<\/strong> It is a very serious and good document. We have analyzed it, and I think it is a quality paper. Of course, it comes from outside the process. According to all the dialogue documents, it is clear that the Association statute should be built through dialogue. As for the process, it comes from outside. But in terms of substance and content, there are elements that can be utilized.<\/p>\n Euronews Serbia:<\/strong> Kosovo police officers were released, one detained Serb was released. But another Serb was arrested the day after the talks in Brussel. Are these messages that Belgrade and Pristina are sending to the EU?<\/p>\n Miroslav Laj\u010d\u00e1k:<\/strong> The issue of arrests is a very sensitive one and a significant irritant in the whole process. Regarding the arrests of Serbs from Kosovo, we hear from the Kosovar side that it is the rule of law and that there is sufficient evidence against these individuals. From Serbia\u2019s side, we hear that it is a political campaign against the entire Serbian population in Kosovo. Therefore, it is crucial that we have a detailed insight into each specific case to assess the essence. That is why we have given a new task to EULEX, which has it in its mandate. The High Representative has requested EULEX to monitor all these cases thoroughly and more robustly than before. We need to have an accurate insight and be able to say how we perceive these cases based on that analysis. It is clear that if someone has violated the law, they must be held accountable. On the other hand, we must not allow arrests to be abused for political purposes.<\/p>\n Euronews Serbia:<\/strong> Another factor contributing to escalation on the ground is the ban on Serbian goods trucks entering Kosovo\u2019s territory. How do you see that?<\/p>\n Miroslav Laj\u010d\u00e1k:<\/strong> We advocate and strive to establish the opposite, the four European freedoms, which include the free flow of goods. These blockades are the opposite. It is primarily a question for the European Commission, but it is also a question of obligations regarding membership in CEFTA. It is also about the alignment of measures with the letter and spirit of the Stabilization and Association Agreement. No one can claim that this is a move that brings the region closer to the EU. It needs to be resolved as soon as possible.<\/p>\n