Regional cooperation and good neighbourly relations are among the postulates of the European Union. Therefore we should be more focused on the common interest to both countries in the future, such as cooperation, especially in economy, to make better lives for our citizens, instead of dealing with the issues around which we will certainly not agree The dialogue with Hashim Thaci,mediated by the European Union, always has the same goal, and it is the normalization of relations and discussions on possible solutions to the everyday problems of all citizens of Kosovo. We should build a good relationship between the Albanian and Serbian sides, and I think that this can be achieved through our focus on the need for cooperation for economic development and infrastructure construction.
The current political situation for Serbia is not the most difficult to remember, but it is one of the most complex. The start of the dialogue between Prime Ministers Ivica Dacic and Hashim Thaci on the complicated relations between Belgrade and Pristina, the acquittal of Croatian Generals Ante Gotovina and Mladen Markac by the ICTY, creates the possibility of complicating relations between Belgrade and Zagreb. The Serbian government announced that its relationship with The Hague tribunal will be solely “technical” in future. The tension that currently exists in regional relations among neighbouring countries has not been quite so intense for a long time. It is on the Serbian government and the national leadership to channel this tension and to articulate it. All the more so since issues such as regional relationships and ICTY cooperation are closely connected to Serbia’s goal of EU accession. According to reactions from the government these days, notably from Prime Minister Ivica Dacic, it seems that Belgrade has chosen a calm approach when it comes to the latest upheavals in the political arena and the commitment of the government not to endanger any of the planned strategic objectives.
Recently, you spoke with Ms Catherine Ashton. What was the EU reaction over The Hague’s judgment?
– The European Union has taken note of The Hague’s court decision. In normal situations, one would not comment on these court decisions. However, this is obviously a political decision that is based on some political motives rather than on legal facts. Otherwise, how could such a gap between first and second instance decisions be explained?
How to proceed with further cooperation between Serbia and the EU?
– One of Serbia’s state and national priorities is accession to the European Union, and we will continue to do all we can in the future to complete the internal reforms underway and to continue with the adoption of the European standards and procedures. Our ultimate goal is a better and quality of life for the citizens of Serbia.
Is it to be expected that that the judgment of the Croatian generals could affect relations in the region?
– The judgment of the Croatian generals, in any case, has an impact on regional relations. The message of this judgment – that no one is responsible for the expulsion of 200,000 Serbs from Croatia and the death of hundreds of people – is a question of an elementary sense of justice and conveys a sense that not all victims are equally valuable. The judgment will certainly have a negative impact, above all, on the hardinitiated process of reconciliation as it opens wounds which have not fully healed.
Will the decision on solely technical cooperation with The Hague jeopardize the chance of obtaining a date for accession talks, given that cooperation with the ICTY has long been one of the key conditions for the beginning of the story about Serbia’s EU Association Agreement?
– Serbia will continue as before, with all of its obligations involved with cooperation with the ICTY, and we do not consider that it could further jeopardize the continuation of European integration.
What exactly does technical cooperation with The Hague tribunal mean?
– Technical cooperation with The Hague Tribunal means that we will meet all international legal obligations that we must, such as the submission of documents required by judicial processes and the like. However, we cannot develop other forms of cooperation with the Hague Tribunal which would imply our accepting of the judicial institution as the best example of international justice to be promoted and praised. There will not,,therefore, be seminars and conferences devoted to The Hague Tribunal in Serbia in which members of the government praise what we expected, and we did not get – equal satisfaction to Serbian victims of violent breakup of the former Yugoslavia.. I do not expect that such an attitude can jeopardize in any way the continuation of the European integration process, since we will fulfil all our legal obligations. I do not believe anyone expected that after the liberation of Croatian generals we can do more than that.
It looks like, for now, that the judgment could disrupt Serbo-Croat relations at almost all levels, from cultural, interpersonal relations to economic and political plans. Is there a possibility of a threat of serious disruption of relationships?
– This judgment reopened some old wounds that have not healed entirely and call into question the withdrawal of the genocide lawsuit, which all inevitably indicates the need to overcome problems and seek the points that unite us, not divide us.
Can we and should we afford to allow further deterioration of relations with Croatia in this political moment?
– Relationships, as we all know, never depend only on one side. From our point of view we do not think that this judgment has anything to do with the Croatian state and nation. It was purely the position of The Hague Tribunal and, more particularly, one council of The Hague Tribunal. However, we consider the glorification of the two generals and their proclamation as national heroes to be inappropriate. We ask ourselves: what message does this send to all Serbs who remained living in Croatia, as well as many Serbs, citizens of Croatia, still living as refugees in Serbia?
What kind of cooperation do you expect with Croatia in the future?
– Cooperation with Croatia, of course, depends also on the willingness of Croatia. We had a slowdown in cooperation in the past period, however, regional cooperation and good neighbourly relations are among the postulates of the European Union of which Croatia will soon become a member. Therefore we should be more focused on the common interest to both countries in the future, such as cooperation, especially in economy, to make better lives for our citizens, instead of dealing with the issues around which we will certainly not agree.
You are supposed to meet again with Hashim Thaci during this month. What will be the topics of discussion during this the third meeting?
– The dialogue with Hashim Thaci, mediated by the European Union, always has the same goal, and it is the normalization of relations and discussions on possible solutions to the everyday problems of all citizens of Kosovo. We should build a good relationship between the Albanian and Serbian sides, and I think that this can be achieved through our focus on the need for cooperation for economic development and infrastructure construction. Only in this way will the citizens live better and tensions decrease. I believe that Kosovo Albanians will then begin to perceive a different potential cooperation with Belgrade and, in time, will show willingness for the historic compromise between two nations.
Does the idea which you recently mentioned, of the joint construction of the Nis-Pristina motorway or any other form of economic cooperation between Serbia and Kosovo really exist?
– Of course it exists. In the end, it all comes down to how citizens live. It is both in our interest as well as the interest of Pristina to have better infrastructure, roads, railways, and anything else that would contribute to economic growth, investment and the improvement of living standards.
How do you see the future of general economic relations between Serbia and Kosovo?
– I believe that you should always look for a common economic interest and be very practical in these matters.
Thaci was very categorical in an interview for the ‘Jutarnji list’, saying that he is tired of the Serbian politics of Kosovo’s secession. What is your position on that?
– We clearly stated our position so far. If the question of secession and independence of Kosovo were done by a deal, we would have no need for a dialogue. The status of the Serbian community in the north and in the south is a crucial issue for us.
This is your second mandate as the head of the Ministry of Interior. According to media speculation, the influences of different political parties are at work within the ministry. Do you have any knowledge of that?
– I have consistently worked on the depoliticisation of the police, which was evident during my first mandate. All senior police executives appointed by my predecessor remained in their positions. The depoliticisation and professionalization of the police mainly depend on police officials. They know that I require them to work hard, to react on time, and they have to inform me on time about the main activities undertaken. I do not involve myself in the decision-making during the operating procedure. Certainly there are people who feel they cannot meet the requirements of a higher professional level or within a European context. Or some of them do not want to learn new things and change the way the police is managed. Those kinds of people attempt to find political mentors represented in all parts of the administration. The reforms are going well and in the long run I am completely confident in their success.
One of your biggest complaints relates to administrative procedures and bureaucracy which inhibits the entry of new investors. What will the government do to remove this problem which has last for almost a decade?
– Slow bureaucracy has long been a problem that exists and is related to the reform of public administration in general. Now the government has started to address this problem in a comprehensive way. Among other problems, bureaucracy and slow procedures provide a good opportunity for corruption, and there is the biggest problem. We started operationally to work with the most relevant issues of corruption cases. Simultaneously we have started activities on a new strategy for the fight against corruption, which should answer to the question of which parts of the administration are deliberately delaying the administrative actions. In addition, it is necessary to continue with the project of “cutting regulations” to eliminate unnecessary procedures and shorten those which are still needed. Also, whenever possible, the principle of a “single-window” should be applied, so that citizens and business people may turn to a single point of contact, while the administration will circulate the necessary documents without sending citizens running to multiple addresses.
You said that on the initiative of Sweden and Italy, eight EU countries are lobbying for Serbia to receive provisional start date for negotiations in March. You mentioned the changed and constructive image of the country as a reason for this. What has helped to a change of that image?
– The issue of opening membership talks with the EU is something that Serbia wants to get moving as soon as possible. This primarily involves the implementation of systemic reforms and the introduction of EU standards and procedures to ensure compliance with the values of the European Union. We believe that we have worked very hard to make changes within the system so far. We have shown that we have the will, that we can get it done and that we have people who are capable and competent to operate to the highest standards. We believe that we have fulfilled the political criteria cited in last December’s European Council conclusions on Serbia, namely, the “normalization of relations with Pristine” and therefore, we deserve to get a start date for negotiations. After the opening of negotiations, we have a long way to go towards full membership, during which the reforms will continue. But we believe that we have met the key conditions for opening of negotiations. The process of dialogue with Pristina has been started at the highest political levels. We are ready to implement the agreement on regional representation and integrated administrative crossings, although we do not think that it was negotiated or achieved in the best way by the previous government. The process of dialogue has started, moving away from the standstill which was to the detriment of Serbia. But the problems should be solved, and we have shown a willingness to do it. We believe that the time has come to move forward in European integration.
The date of negotiations means that work is still ahead. How realistic is it that this process is going forward regardless of the negotiations with Kosovo, and what’s the plan of action, given that these two subjects are closely related?
– The Kosovo problem was not created overnight, and it is not realistic for it to be solved overnight. We think that no one can require this from us. It is not realistic to end the story about Kosovo without an agreement with Serbia. We are ready to discuss everything, and I think that this is a process that should go in parallel with negotiations on membership. It would be very wrong to stop Serbia’s European path due to relations with Pristina.
Source Cord magazine
