http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/9945/
Quote:
Kosovo’s declaration of independence has divided “not only the region but the whole of Europe” claims Serbia’s Foreign Minister.
“The move has not solved anything, has not made things better, has not strengthened the values, has not improved cooperation, has not contributed to the reconciliation, nor has it brought stability and safety,” Jeremic told the Committee of Ministers at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg.
He described the independence of Serbia’s former southern province as an “imposed solution” which is devastating the very essence of the European values.
“How much damage has it done to Serbia, Western Balkans and Europe? Yes, to Europe. The unilateral independence has divided us all and it is senseless to deny that,’ Jeremic said.
He reiterated Belgrade’s position that overcoming the divisions as well as the return to the European values was only possible if Pristina and Belgrade went back to the negotiating table.
Jeremic also referred to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, SAA, the European Union signed with Serbia on April 29, reiterating that the deal is neutral regarding Kosovo’s final status.
The move by leaders of Serbia’s pro-European Democratic Party to sign the deal triggered a bitter conflict with the nationalists amid election campaigning ahead of the early general vote on Sunday.
The nationalists threatened to annul the SAA, the deal widely seen as the first step toward EU membership, if they win a majority in the new parliament, saying the signing of the deal was in fact tantamount to Belgrade’s recognition of Kosovo’s independence.
“Claims that signing the SAA meant the recognition of Kosovo’s independence are nothing but attempts to deceive the citizens,” he said.
Jeremic added that the annulling the SAA would mean there will not be European integration, free-visa nor free trade regimes.
|
I must say that I disagree with this. I believe that the independence of Kosovo is the first step to peace in the Balkans. Of course it creates yet another divide between Serbians and Albanians, but I think if the initial nationalism and antipathy is overcome everyone will be better off.
As long as the ethnic Albanian majority in Kosovo treat the Serbian minority with respect, I think there will be no problems. In reality, the declaration of independence does not cause the arguments and protests; it merely brings the big problems of nationalism and perhaps conflicting religions to the surface.
The ethnic Albanians are obviously strongly supporting independence, and only the use of physical force could have denied them this I think. Only military force could now take it away, and more bloodshed would not end the desire for independence of Albanians, nor would it make the Serbians better off.I hope that the international community recognizes Kosovo as a nation. It should not be a problem for Serbians if this happens.
I understand that many Serbians also feel strongly against the independence, as far as I know this is because of the religious or historical importance of the region of Kosovo to the Serbians. I think that as long as the Kosovo Albanians refrain from denying Serbians this land to live on without prejudice or violence, the region will remain theirs, shared as always with Albanians.