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Former US Ambassador to NATO: Kosovo to reduce tensions, the West to oppose Serbian nationalism

Politiko 2023-05-31 18:48:59

Former US Ambassador to NATO: Kosovo to reduce tensions, the West to oppose

Former US ambassador to NATO Kurt Volker says the Kosovo government was wrong to act in the North without consulting the US and the EU, but adds that the West should not overlook the nationalist tendencies he says are following Serbia in the region.

In an interview for the Voice of America, Mr. Volker, an expert at the Center for European Policy Analysis, calls on the Kosovo government to take measures to reduce tensions, but says that the United States and the European Union must also commit to repelled efforts that risk eroding Kosovo's sovereignty.

VOA: Ambassador Volker, what is your opinion about the recent tensions in the North of Kosovo and the escalations there?

Kurt Volker: First I have to say that it is a very dangerous situation. We have seen many times in the past how ethnic nationalism has erupted into open conflict in the Balkans. Such a thing must be prevented at all costs. Bearing this in mind, I think that the actions of the Kosovo police were excessive. They should have acted with more discretion. But on the other hand, we must understand that the reason why it all started was Serbia's several years of nationalist activity in Kosovo, in Bosnia, in Montenegro and in Serbia itself, and there was no attempt to stop it.

I think that this created a situation where Kosovo felt that its sovereignty was being eroded. The refusal of the Serbian community (in Kosovo) to participate in local elections, the efforts to create the Association of Municipalities with the support of Serbia, all these created the impression that Serbia was trying to intervene inside Kosovo, which was, of course, unacceptable for Kosovo authorities.

Under these conditions, the solution is more commitment from the United States, from the European Union, which must repel these nationalist tendencies and must focus efforts on creating stability and economic growth and development for all.

Zëri i Amerikës: Sekretari amerikan i Shtetit, fajësoi direkt qeverinë e Kosovës për “hyrjen me forcë në komuna” duke theksuar se veprimet ishin marrë pa u këshilluar me Shtetet e Bashkuara. A mendoni se qeveria e Kosovës duhet të kishte qenë më e matur dhe të mendonte pasojat e mundshme, para se t’i ndërmerrte ato hapa?

Kurt Volker: First, the close relationship with the United States is vital for Kosovo. It was therefore rash and imprudent on their part to take these actions without consulting the United States. And I think that is reflected in Secretary Blinken's statement. At the same time, I think the statement overlooks part of the responsibility of the US and the European Union for failing to control some of these Serbian nationalist actions over time, which was also the reason that irritated Kosovo.

So, from Kosovo's perspective, it was a combination of factors. However, it is important that Kosovo takes steps to reduce tensions, work with the international community, because it will not be in a more favorable situation to face Serbian nationalism by acting alone, than if it works with the community international.

Voice of America: However, from the interviews and statements of Prime Minister Albin Kurti, it seems that he is not taking a step back, but is emphasizing that in the face of a regime like that of Serbia, the government will not back down and will defend its democracy. Are these statements constructive?

Kurt Volker: Unë e kuptoj këndvështrimin e tij, si edhe faktin që për të është politikisht e rëndësishme që të mos duket i dobët. Por në të njëjtën kohë, unë mendoj se ai dhe autoritetet e Kosovës në përgjithësi duhet të gjejnë një rrugë për të zbutur situatën, për t’u rikthyer tek bashkëpunim me SHBA-në dhe Bashkimin Evropian, duke këmbëngulur njëkohësisht që komuniteti ndërkombëtar të ndërmarrë një rol më të fuqishëm se saj ka luajtur deri tani për zmbrapsjen e veprime nacionaliste.

Mendoj se është gjithashtu e rëndësishme që edhe Shtetet e Bashkuara të bëjnë përpjekje për uljen e shkallëzimeve, që situata të mos acarohet edhe më shumë.

Zëri i Amerikës: Ambasadori amerikan në Kosovë, Jeff Hovenier tha se në përgjigje ndaj qëndrimit të Kosovës, NATO-ja anuloi pjesëmarrjen e Kosovës në stërvitjen Defender 23. A mendoni se kjo ishte një kundërpërgjigje e përshtatshme?

Kurt Volker: Mendoj se është një çështje gjykimi. Është e qartë që qeveria e Shteteve të Bashkuara është e pakënaqur me qeverinë e Kosovës dhe ata deshën të bënin diçka për ta shprehur këtë pakënaqësi. Mendoj se për shkak të mënyrës se si veproi Kosova, pa u konsultuar drejtpërdrejt me Shtetet e Bashkuara, SHBA po përpiqet të mbajë qëndrim. Personalisht unë mendoj se ne duhet të mbështesim pavarësinë dhe sovranitetin e Kosovës, t’i këshillojmë ata që të bëjnë një hap pas, të qetësohen, të mos shkallëzojnë situatën dhe të mbajmë një qëndrim më të balancuar lidhur me rolin që po luan nacionalizmi në rajon në këto momente.

Voice of America: Given how tough this American stance was, how much do you think the relationship between the two countries that both sides considered special has been damaged?

Kurt Volker: I guess I would characterize the current situation as frustration and nervousness. I hope the situation gets back on track. VOA