A few weeks before the Constitution of the new structures in the European Union, Austrian MEP Lukas Mandl asks the European Commission to appoint decent and impartial people for the mediation of the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue.
He points out that only in this form can the dialogue succeed and the parties implement the basic Brussels Agreement and the Ohrid annex.
In this regard, Mandl says that the South Tyrol model is a good example for the Association, which Kosovo can take into account, while stressing that it should not have executive powers.
He also criticized Serbia for its aggressive behavior and approach towards Kosovo. Meanwhile, underlines the need for the European Union to lift punitive measures against Kosovo as soon as possible.
Mandl for KosovaPress, emphasizes the need for Kosovo and Serbia to have a constructive approach within the Brussels dialogue.
“It should be a real dialogue between the two countries and it should be seen that there are two countries that talk to each other not the Capitals, so I use the expression of the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue and do not mention the Capitals to emphasize that these are two countries on equal terms.
We still have five EU member states that have not yet recognized the Republic Of Kosovo, which is a pity. I have written to the prime ministers of each of these five countries immediately after the beginning of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, but in hybrid means and measures against all of us, to recommend that the Republic of Kosovo be recognized now, the unification of the free world, for the unification of the Western world to contribute to the unification of Europe as a whole, all this will be a very good precondition for a positive future of the Western Balkans, that is, a positive future for Europe.
What is needed immediately and practically are people on the part of the European Commission, who will moderate this process of dialogue in a decent and impartial way and also without taking any sides, this will be something that I trust very much the new European Commission will do better than the last when it comes to dialogue”, he emphasizes.
The Austrian MEP emphasizes that Kosovo must fulfill its responsibilities regarding the Association, but it should not have executive powers.
“Of course, I mean when something is agreed, it has to be implemented. So there was one party in the dialogue, which has always played the game one step forward and two steps back, and this should not happen again, or there should be clear consequences if this were to be repeated.
At the same time, of course, it is also part of international agreements that there will be some kind of Association of northern municipalities, which does not mean any kind of jurisdiction. The northern municipalities will remain part of the Republic of Kosovo, the citizens of these municipalities will remain citizens of the Republic of Kosovo, of no other state, but there must be some entity representing these municipalities. We have a similar example in Austria, in my country, along with Italy in history, which is South Tyrol, and if one wants to look deeper at that example, it can be a good model for the future here,” Mandl adds.
He also wants clear consequences for Serbia if they do not implement the Brussels Agreement and the Ohrid annex.
“There should be clear consequences for the Serbian government if they agree on something in the future and then do not implement it and play other games as they have played games in the past, always to provoke Kosovo and always to contact a campaign against Kosovo when it comes to worldwide recognitions.
This kind of behavior must stop, this is not the way you behave with the neighbor, it is not the way that will create prosperity and opportunities throughout the Western Balkans, Serbia should rather conduct cooperative behavior and contribute to the economy throughout the Western Balkans in the interest of its people, the Serbian people, and the interest of everyone, rather than always behaving aggressively towards the neighboring state”, he emphasizes.
On the other hand, Mandl considers it necessary to remove punitive measures against Kosovo.
“I hope that the so-called measures are lifted as soon as possible, because not only in my view. I am not alone in the European Parliament with this clear position on these measures to create a positive atmosphere for talks, positive in the future, for opportunities for the people of Kosovo and the people throughout Europe, and for the positive path forward towards European unity, the measures are absolutely nothing that will help on that path, quite the opposite, so the measures should be removed”, adds Mandl.
Asked about preparations for organizing the February 9 elections in Kosovo, he says that unlike other Western Balkan countries, Kosovo is a functioning democratic system.
“Well, I don’t want to interfere here because I’m aware of Election Day on February 9. I know that from the past compared to other Western Balkan countries, in all the analyses of election observation missions it is said that Kosovo is a functioning democratic system, this will be true even in February, I hope for positive competition and I still have no knowledge of interference here”, concludes Mandl.
