The United Kingdom (Great Britain) believes that there are things that Kosovo and Serbia can learn from the Good Friday Agreement, which ended the long violence in Northern Ireland 26 years ago.
The British Embassy in Kosovo has said in an answer to the “Express” newspaper that there is no such model that can be imposed for the resolution of issues between Kosovo and Serbia.
“The United Kingdom remains fully committed to supporting the EU-facilitated Dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. The Good Friday Agreement was negotiated and has stood the test of time as a result of all parties demonstrating a commitment to dialogue and reconciliation. Although we believe that there are lessons that can be learned from this peace process, there is no ‘Northern Ireland model’ that can be imposed as a ‘solution for Kosovo'”, the British embassy said in its response.
The United Kingdom’s special envoy, Stuart Peach, had cited the Belfast Agreement as an example of achieving reconciliation through respect, concessions and negotiation.
“I speak as a Brit to remind the audience that after some really difficult years, 25 years ago both parties in Northern Ireland sat down and created the Good Friday Agreement and it has stood the test of time. And this is a good lesson in reconciliation. So, it’s about respect, it’s about concessions, negotiations, but above all it’s about continuing the dialogue”, Peach stated on March 4, in a panel discussion on challenges and opportunities in the Balkans at the Diplomacy Forum in Antalya.
The British was received on Thursday in Pristina by the heads of state. In the meeting with him, Prime Minister Albin Kurti, as the government announced, “shared with Lord Peach his reflections on the visit he had to the United Kingdom and Ireland, as well as the meetings in Northern Ireland at the end of February this year”.