Austrian MEP Thomas Waitz appeared on Euronews Albania this Wednesday to discuss on the latest developments in the tense situation between Kosovo and Serbia.<\/p>\n
Speaking to journalist Thimi Samarxhiu, Waitz provided insights on various issues, including his criticism of the biased positions held by the European Union envoy for the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue.<\/p>\n
During the interview, Waitz highlighted a significant mistake made by Kosovo\u2019s Prime Minister Albin Kurti.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe unfortunate thing is that Prime Minister Kurti did not inform the allies about his actions. We did not expect this from Kurti. I openly say that Kurti\u2019s movement was a political mistake,\u201d said Waitz, referring to the fact that the Kosovo Prime Minister should have informed the international community about the actions taken towards Serbia.<\/p>\n
Waitz further expressed concerns about President Aleksandar Vu\u010di\u0107 of Serbia, accusing him of playing a double game between Russia and the EU.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are used to promises from Vu\u010di\u0107 one day and actions in the opposite direction the next day. We have experienced betrayal from Vu\u010di\u0107.\u201d<\/p>\n
Waitz urged the EU to take action against Serbia, not only in response to its actions towards Kosovo but also due to its dual engagement with the EU and Russia.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am of the impression that Vu\u010di\u0107 is not interested in a real solution. He is holding the issue with Kosovo as a problem, a burning problem in order to keep his people further away from the serious problems that Serbia is facing. He has a great position within the state. I don\u2019t think Vu\u010di\u0107 will change his strategy,\u201d remarked Waitz.<\/p>\n
Regarding concerns on Miroslav Laj\u010d\u00e1k\u2019s impartiality in the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, which he also raised as an issue in a session of the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs, Waitz gave the following reasoning as to why he thinks Laj\u010d\u00e1k is biased in the dialogue.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnfortunately, you can also see in his political history that he was Slovakia\u2019s ambassador to Serbia and Slovakia\u2019s foreign minister during Kosovo\u2019s declaration of independence. Slovakia is a country that has not recognized Kosovo, and it is not a good prerequisite for being impartial in these negotiations. As a foreign minister he did not put in a good word about the recognition of Kosovo and he has very good relations with Serbia. We can see that his participation has not resulted in reducing tensions,\u201d Waitz told Euronews Albania.<\/p>\n
Waitz openly criticized the EU envoy\u2019s failure to adequately address Serbian issues.<\/p>\n
\u201cMr. Laj\u010d\u00e1k was reporting on the progress and success of the negotiations with Serbia and Kosovo, while also pointing out a very strange opinion when it comes to the Kosovar side. He gave the impression that the real aggression was coming from Kosovo, while it was clearly Serbia that attacked KFOR soldiers\u2026 When I confronted Laj\u010d\u00e1k with his biased remarks, he was providing certain conditions for the Serbian side, but unfortunately, he did not emphasize the Serbian side and their problems strongly enough.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Waitz there is no guarantee that the local Serbs in the northern municipalities of Kosovo will participate in new elections, should they be held.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Government of Kosovo is aligning with the democracy principles of the EU, and if the Serb List is yet again boycotting elections, I think that the entire EU will be clear on which side is mining democracy,\u201d Waitz said.<\/p>\n