FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
The special envoy of the British Prime Minister for the Western Balkans, Stuart Peach, in an interview for the Voice of America, said that Great Britain condemns the attack by the Serbian armed group in the northern part of Kosovo on September 24 as a very serious incident and demands investigations complete to determine responsibility.
He said that Russia's war in Ukraine has awakened memories of the past and increased tensions in the Balkans, and that London remains committed to the dialogue process between Kosovo and Serbia leading to some form of normalization as soon as possible. In an interview with colleague Garentina Kraja, he emphasizes that Great Britain's position is not the creation of another Republika Srpska in Kosovo, but of an association that takes into account the interests of all parties and is in accordance with the Constitution of Kosovo.
Voice of America : Lord Peach, what is your assessment of what happened in Kosovo on September 24?
Stuart Peach : It was a very serious incident, which we continue not only to condemn, but to call for a genuine and genuine police investigation. We are still trying to find out the facts.
VOA: Authorities in Kosovo say there is additional evidence, including the discovery of a large amount of weapons this week in northern Kosovo, that proves the attack was aimed at annexing territory from Belgrade. Could such an attack happen without the knowledge and support of Belgrade?
Stuart Peach : Of course, the geography is well known and geographically these two countries are close. From my experience there is a real need for border security and there is a need for regular police checks on both sides of that border. Those who carried out the attack on NATO peacekeepers in May and the attack that caused loss of life on September 24 must be held accountable. Our long experience in different countries of the world teaches us that the police should be given priority. We urge everyone to tone down the rhetoric and focus on real investigations to determine the facts.
Voice of America: However, would it be possible for an attack of this scale to happen without the support of Belgrade, in your opinion?
Stuart Peach: We still don't know the extent of Belgrade's support, as you call it, until the facts are revealed. So I don't want to speculate until we have more information. But, from the side of the international community, it is important to try to promote the need for dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia.
Voice of America : Many observers have said that the dialogue no longer makes sense. After this incident, can dialogue continue as if nothing happened?
Stuart Peach : "Carry on like nothing happened" can be a rhetorically loaded phrase. I want to say that between countries there is never a reason not to talk. Of course, there is a state of war and a state of conflict, and the current situation between Kosovo and Serbia is neither of them. There is no reason for Kosovo and Serbia not to talk to each other in a dialogue, which we support.
Voice of America : Given the events in the Middle East, do you think that the attack by the Serbian armed group in the northern part of Kosovo is another case of malicious actors creating conflict, or is it related to the wider context of the war in Ukraine?
Stuart Peach : It's a very complex question. I don't think there is a prima facie connection between the events in the Middle East, which constitute a tragedy for all parties involved, and the situation in Kosovo and between Kosovo and Serbia. But I will say that since President Putin started the illegal war against Ukraine in February of 2022, there is no doubt that in the Balkan Peninsula memories have been awakened and there are more tensions. And that's because of the nature of what's happened and the way the war in Ukraine has played out. But we must also be clear, both within the international community and among friends, that we must continue to talk with our friends in the region, with everyone, and encourage dialogue in the region.
Voice of America : At the moment you are in Tirana for the meeting of the Berlin Process. According to President Vucic, you and the other envoys for the Balkans will go to Belgrade and Pristina during the week. What is the purpose of the visit and what will you ask the leaders in both countries?
Stuart Peach : I don't plan to be part of that announced visit. I carry out visits on my own schedule as the British Prime Minister's special envoy for the region. But what is important to say is that Great Britain continues to support the dialogue, the dialogue mediated by the European Union and continues to support it with all the resources at our disposal, which are mainly defense and security resources, throughout the region , to make sure that the dialogue continues and try to achieve some form of normalization as soon as we can. We do not want the conflict between Russia and Ukraine to become a trigger for other conflicts. We don't want that. So the UK continues to, quietly, authoritatively and through my actions on behalf of my government, continue to talk to leaders and support dialogue across the region.
Voice of America : Your government, along with other Western governments, encouraged the authorities in Kosovo, before this attack, to work for the creation of an association of municipalities with a Serbian majority. Is this still your position and what is your vision of how to proceed?
Stuart Peach : We support the dialogue, but we're not going to sit down and design the dialogue. It is not for us to say what form it should take. But this is an unresolved issue for a long time and our principled position is that the association is not - and I repeat it is not - the creation of a second Republika Srpska. The association must be in accordance with the Constitution of Kosovo and must take into account the interests of all parties. We will continue to support the dialogue and the process leading to normalization, which is the main goal.
VOA : And your vision for the way forward. Should any aspect be changed, speeded up?
Stuart Peach: An essential part of our vision is to support those who will be responsible for drafting the association's charter and the work they are already doing. We continue to support this effort through the Berlin process, which is a separate initiative, but everyone is present, we support it through our presence in NATO and through our comprehensive relations throughout the Balkans in terms of defense and security.
My message to the parties would be that because of all the conflicts that have erupted in the world, now is the time for dialogue, now is the time not to constantly look to the past, but to look to the future. The Balkans deserve a brighter future.
Lini një Përgjigje