Former diplomat: Kosovo is heading for a big clash with the internationals

The former Kosovar diplomat, Lulzim Peci, currently director of the Kosovar Institute for Policy Research and Development (KIPRED), says that the recent actions of the Kosovo authorities in the north of the country are deepening the rift between Kosovo and the international community, because it he has in front of him a partner "who is unpredictable".

The US and the EU described the closure of the Serbian Post in the north, on August 5, as a "unilateral and uncoordinated action". This action of the Kosovo authorities followed the position of QUINT and NATO who said that they do not support the opening of the Ibri bridge in Mitrovica at this time, after the Prime Minister of Kosovo, ALbin Kurti, was informed about the plan to open the bridge.

Radio Free Europe: Mr. Peci, the international community once again reacted against, as he said, the uncoordinated and unilateral actions of the Kosovo authorities when it comes to the north of the country. The last one is the closing of the offices of the Post of Serbia. How do you see these reactions?

Lulzim Peci: I think that these reactions are the result of the policy of the international community around the north of Kosovo, where KFOR has the highest responsibility for security in this part of the country. Also for this reason, they do not want to be surpassed for actions, which are taken by the Kosovo Police in the north of the country, taking into account their responsibility, which they have since, in my opinion, they do not want to get caught up in some inter-ethnic tension or something similar, without being notified in advance. This is because, if the situation escalates, then it is KFOR that must intervene. I think that this has to do with this, so it has to do not with the action, with the closing of the Serbian post offices in the north, but with the approach of the Government of Kosovo.

Radio Free Europe: Is the rift between Kosovo and the international community deepening, since it is not the first time that internationals are reacting in this way? A few days ago we also had the reaction regarding the opening of the bridge. There have been strong reactions regarding the banning of the dinar, the closure of various institutions of Serbia in Kosovo.

Lulzim Peci: Yes, the rift is deepening, because the partnership cannot be built if the parties, which have security responsibilities in the north of the country, are not consulted. Even the rift, I think, has already deepened a lot, because the international community has a partner of its own. How does she see a partner in this way, who is not predictable, and who takes actions without prior consultation in this part of the country, bearing in mind the responsibilities in the field of security. So, let's keep in mind what we are talking about. We are not only talking about law enforcement, we are also talking about the security implications in that part of the country.

Radio Free Europe: However, the Kosovo authorities justify their actions in these institutions, which have been closed, saying that they worked illegally in Kosovo and invoke legality.

Lulzim Peci: Yes, all right, we have the legality and we have the parties, which have a security mandate in the northern part of the country. Also, when it comes to the implementation of the law, yes, it's all right, there is no doubt about that, but this should be done in consultation and coordination with those who are responsible for security in that part of the country.

Let's not forget that Kosovo does not have full sovereignty even while KFOR has this mandate, which it has today, we know how things are. This is also where the problem lies, the problem does not lie with the implementation of the law. The problem lies in whether we are reliable partners or not? Herein lies, here lies the crux of this problem.

Radio Free Europe: On the other hand, even though the European Union has imposed sanctions on Kosovo, the USA, apart from statements, has not taken any sanctioning action, can we expect something that the USA can decide in this direction?

Lulzim Peci: Yes, the biggest sanction that the USA has done to us is that it has withdrawn the support it had before for Kosovo. There is no greater sanction.

Radio Free Europe: What do you think, which support?

Lulzim Peci: You see, Kosovo no longer has support in the international field, which it previously had from the United States of America. Kosovo has been left to itself and it is now only being dealt with in the domain of conflict management. Nothing more.

Radio Free Europe: Where is Kosovo going?

Lulzim Peci: Kosovo is heading towards a big clash with the international community. However, Kosovo does not have the capacity to harm the international community. It can only harm itself./ REL