The former head of UNMIK, Joachim Ruecker, said that Kosovo has made great achievements since he was head of the mission, mentioning, among other things, the support that the Parliamentary Assembly gave the country for membership in the Council of Europe.
“What has happened recently, for example in the Parliamentary Assembly in Kosovo, shows that the integration of Kosovo in international organizations and Euro-Atlantic organizations is progressing. I know that the decision of the Council of Ministers is still needed, however this is a symbol of how things are progressing”, said Joachim Ruecker on RTK.
Asked if the time has come for UNMIK to end its mandate in Kosovo, Ruecker said that the United Nations Security Council would not agree to repeal the resolution.
“As you know, this is not up to UNMIK to decide, and I think that the United Nations Security Council will not agree to repeal Resolution 1244, given Russia’s position, so 1244 continues to exist . Even UNMIK continues to exist, but it has been reduced to a symbolic presence,” he declared.
“I think that 1244 has completed its mission and should be retired, but I don’t believe that it will happen in the coming months. However, the most important thing is how the process of Kosovo’s membership in European organizations will go, but also in the direction of membership in the United Nations, and there are still some obstacles”, said Ruecker.
Speaking about the north of Kosovo, the German diplomat said that it is in the interest of the Serbian minority to integrate into the institutions of Kosovo and participate in the elections, however, according to him. influence from Belgrade is stopping them.
“In my opinion, it is not in the interest of Serbia either, because allowing the Serbian minority to integrate in Kosovo is also in the interest of Belgrade, because, if this does not happen, Serbia cannot become a member of the EU”, he further emphasized Ruecker.
Among other things, Ruecker said that there is no progress in the dialogue process between Pristina and Belgrade, however, according to him, the removal of EU measures towards Kosovo will happen soon.
“I think it’s a matter of time, because all the steps have already been taken and the vote was taken to recall the mayors of the municipalities. The attempt was made to resolve the political situation in the four municipalities in the north and I think that your government is in the right direction and I believe that these efforts will be recognized by the EU and the projects that have been suspended for the moment will continue,” he said.
The former head of UNMIK emphasized that Kosovo should establish the Association of Municipalities with a Serbian majority and Serbia should recognize Kosovo as a state “de-facto”.
“You mentioned the Ohrid agreement and the next steps are clear, it should be formalized and my opinion is that the implementation of this agreement should be substantially continued, but Kosovo should also deal with the establishment of the Association of Municipalities with a Serbian majority and to have ‘de-facto’ recognition from Serbia, maybe they don’t implement this, but this should be put on the finish line. It is quite clear from the EU side that these things must happen”, said Ruecker.
