The former Slovenian president, Borut Pahor, who is likely to replace Miroslav Lajcak in the position of EU emissary for the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, has said that this process has stalled due to a lack of trust.
In an interview for “Kosovo Online”, he said that he has a plan for restoring trust and continuing the dialogue.
Asked what would change in the dialogue and where he sees the solution, Pahor said that he cannot say this now, but added that he is interested in the post of EU special emissary.
“I can’t say that now, until the process starts. I have decided to enter into that process and then, if they accept that decision, I will tell them and I will provide them with all my references, I will give my plan. The dialogue is at an impasse, there is a lack of trust and we must find a way to move forward with greater trust”, Pahor said, Klankosova.tv reports.
He emphasized that without progress in dialogue, neither Kosovo nor Serbia can achieve anything for a more secure future.
Asked if it is possible for the entire Western Balkans to be in the EU in 2030, he admits that it is probably not possible, but without optimism 2050 will not be a realistic year either.
Optimism existed in 2004, it does not exist today. My presentation at the gathering, when I said about 2030, was not met with applause, because no one believes that neither the EU nor the countries of the region will be ready in 2030. But if we continue like this, the region will not be in EU not even in 2050. And time is running out”, emphasized Pahor in Ljubljana, where his Institute “Friends of the Western Balkans” organized the “Western Balkans in the EU” meeting.
Because of all the geopolitical challenges, such as the war in Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East, peace must be preserved, he said.
“Let’s not joke. We are responsible for maintaining the peace, stability and well-being of the people in this part of Europe. Only the expansion of the European Union is a lasting guarantee of peace and security”, concluded Pahor.
