Federica Woelk, an assistant at the European Parliament and a strong advocate of Kosovo’s sovereignty, in an exclusive interview with ‘Bota sot’, spoke about current issues in the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, EU decisions, and recent events involving these two states.
Woelk said that visa liberalization for Kosovo is delayed, while the Serbian government has lobbied for it.
She also said that the EU and the USA are not respecting Kosovo’s sovereignty, thinking that Kosovo can be continuously undermined, but according to her, this is not true.
Regarding the Banjska case, Woelk states that the EU has all the necessary evidence, but denied it, and the Serbian government was not punished at all.
” Bota sot “: Kosovo won visa liberalization from January 1st. Do you think this was a delayed decision for Kosovo?
Federica Woelk: Yes, it was definitely a delayed decision, and in my opinion, the decision to postpone it and take so long to implement it was a problematic decision by the EU. Furthermore, the Serbian government lobbied a lot, I think this also influenced it.
” Bota sot “: Who punished Kosovo for not yet liberalizing visas?
Federica Woelk: I don’t think the punishment Kosovo is experiencing is due to liberalization. Liberalization was actually accepted even by Spain, even though it does not recognize Kosovo. Therefore, I think the punishment being imposed on Kosovo is related to other reasons and aspects of the Dialogue. Although it’s strange that Kosovo is always affected, and never the Serbian government.
” Bota sot “: Do you think the EU is not the same with Kosovo and Serbia?
Federica Woelk: I don’t really understand the question. The EU is made up of 27 member states, and certainly the decision-making process within it is very difficult and lengthy. The role that the EU took towards Kosovo and Serbia could have been good, but apparently, intermediaries and the overall approach to appeasing Serbia are prevailing at the moment, and this is not good for the EU, nor for Kosovo AND Serbia themselves (because Serbian citizens also deserve to understand the problem their government is currently posing and the risk the entire region is going through).
” Bota sot “: “Kosovo is concerned that the EU and the USA are not respecting its sovereignty,” why did you make such a statement?
Federica Woelk: Because it’s true. I’m afraid that the EU and the USA still think that Kosovo is some kind of protectorate and that its sovereignty can be continuously undermined. Well, that’s not the case, and it’s necessary for both parties to understand this: Kosovo is a sovereign state and can make sovereign decisions based on its Constitution. External impositions should be limited.
” Bota sot “: Regarding the Banjska case, do you think Serbia was punished enough?
Federica Woelk: The Serbian government was not punished at all. I think the EU has lacked a lot of ability to understand what really happened. Although the EU has all the necessary evidence, it denied it. And that’s really a shame. Because the Kosovo government made sure that the EU had all the necessary evidence to take action against the Serbian government. However, to this day, the responsible parties have remained unpunished, and this is absolutely outrageous.
” Bota sot “: Who should condemn the Serbian criminals who are threatening Kosovo, while being seen in the presence of Serbian politicians?
Federica Woelk: I think Serbian politicians and criminals who are not only threatening Kosovo, so to speak, but also Bosnia and Herzegovina, should be afraid of the concrete consequences of the EU and the USA. As long as the EU and the USA continue to appease them and let them think everything is fine, Serbian criminals and politicians will continue to violate every agreement and every peace opportunity. Is that what we want? I don’t think so.
Finally, thank you very much for your country’s support!
Source: Botasot.net