Credit is due

As the Pristina Gazeta Express has  published the Kosovo/Serbia agreement in English and Albanian, I did some quick answers to Shpend Limoni’s questions, which naturally come from the Pristina perspective:

1.    Is this agreement in collision with Kosovo’s Constitution ?

A:  I don’t see any contradictions with the constitution, but I’ll be interested to hear what others say on this subject.  It clearly provides for the police and courts in the north to be part of the Kosovo police and courts, which was a critical issue.

2.    Does this agreement mean that Kosovo finally is establishing its own authority in the  North ?

A:  I think it means the north can now be integrated into the Kosovo constitutional framework, which provides for a good deal of municipal authority as well as cooperation among municipalities. 

3.    Many in Kosovo are saying this means practically autonomy for Kosovo  Serbs? Do you agree with this ?

A:  No.  The Ahtisaari plan provides for a great deal of self-governance for Serbs throughout Kosovo.  It was unrealistic to expect it to be less for the northern municipalities.  The association is in the Ahtisaari plan.  It is not new. 

4.    Do you expect swift implementation process ?

A:  Anyone who expects swift and easy implementation has not worked long in the Balkans.  But there is a good chance of implementation over the next year or so.

5.    Part of agreement is about EU integration process. Both sides agreed that won’t block each other ?

A:  Yes, that seems to me a good thing and should open up several possibilities for Kosovo:  negotiations of a Stabilization and Association Agreement, movement towards a Schengen visa waiver, possibly recognition by at least some of the EU non-recognizers. 

6. How all this would reflect in international stage. Could we expect more recognitions ?

A:  I hope so.  Kosovo has in this negotiation demonstrated a good deal of statesmanship.  Consider:  a Kosovo prime minister negotiating with a Serbia prime minister extension of Kosovo police and court structures into a territory that Serbia has dominated for 14 years.  That does not make anything happen automatically, but I do hope to see some more countries recognize. Credit is due. 

PS:  Credit is also due to Lady Ashton!