Minister for Kosovo Goran Bogdanovic: Our institutions aren’t parallel, they are the only ones, and therefore there would be no pulling back. Abandoning Resolution 1244 is next to recognition
Serbia hasn’t left and won’t leave its citizens in Kosovo in the lurch. Requests that Serbia pulls back from the institutions in the north of the Province, which aren’t parallel but the only ones, are unacceptable for the Government. Under our Constitution, we are obligated to provide our citizens with appropriate health, education and social services. Serbs managed to survive only in those places where Serbian institutions subsisted.
Minister for Kosovo and Metohija Goran Bogdanovic reaffirmed these clear message in his interview with the Vecernje Novosti.
- Revision of our current politics, in an outwardly imposed way, would mean relinquishing principles set out in the Constitution and the Resolution 1244. At the same time, in a democracy, elections are the best way to test and evaluate a policy.
* How can we expect to untangle the Kosovo problem and the European integrations, if official Belgrade keeps repeating that the Constitution and Resolution would remain our political coordinates, whereas all the while their violation is requested?
- The manner in which a significant part of the international community presents the "untangling" in fact implies more flexibility on our part regarding the Kosovo problem. Some seem to find it appealing to constantly pin the blame on Serbia. We cannot abandon the Resolution 1244 because it’s the only relevant international act guaranteeing security, protection of people and of the Serbian cultural and historical heritage; it also enforces commitment to the return of the displaced. Not only this, the resolution is also a document which could produce future solutions. The knot is not tangled by Belgrade. And anyone who thinks that Belgrade’s giving up on Kosovo would untangle the process is utterly wrong.
* Isn’t insisting on abandoning the Resolution a covert request to recognize Kosovo already at this stage of integrations?
- I am personally inclined to such an interpretation. Abandoning the Resolution without prior reaching a compromise would mean setting up a precedent involving unilateral moves as a legitimate means of changing the international law and order.
* Both the head of state and the Government called on the citizens to dismantle the barricades. Will they heed this?
- State leadership sent a clear message that the barricades be removed, and this must be done without any procrastination, being that the barricades have fulfilled their purpose and accomplished the goal.
* Kosovo Serbs are accusing Belgrade of giving up on them in so doing?
- You cannot swear on the state on one side and not implement its decision on the other. Being that we averted the possibility of the northern Kosovo crisis escalating into uncontrolled violence and rendering the Kosovo Serbs the losers, barricades are now counterproductive. The process of removing the barricade is already on the way and must end as soon as possible, without any delay and excuses.
* Is there any truth to the claims of a part of the international public that the protests of the Serbs in northern Kosovo are being organized and lead by criminals?
Dissatisfaction and widespread resistance of the people to being placed under Pristina’s control should not be related to criminal elements, which more or less exist everywhere. Some international circles are also fully aware that the Pristina authorities are delved knee-deep in crime. This is a classic straw man logical fallacy – discrediting the legitimate efforts by the Serbs in the north who are defending themselves from Pristina's violent attempts to change the reality on the ground. There is crime in the north, but compared to the crime south of the Ibar River it’s a kid’s play.
* What specific actions will be taken in the future?
- We will continue the dialogue on technical issues, looking to elevating it to a higher level at some point in the future and discussing political and the status issue. On the other hand, we will continue to carry out the reform processes regarding the EU integrations.
* Will the Government be able to adopt all necessary regulations in time in order to begin the integrated crossing points management by December 26?
- In fact, 26 December is the start date for implementation of arrangements related to the freedom of movement. Integrated management of administrative crossings is a process with which we will be dealing in the future. It’s a concept that even the developed EU countries, unencumbered by politics, could not implement overnight. As for the Government, it will adopt all agreements reached in Brussels in time.
* Do you expect that Serbia will be granted EU candidate status in March?
- It is enough that one country says "no" and 26 say "yes" and Serbia would not be a candidate. I wish to refrain from the guessing game and would rather be a pessimist who made a mistake.
* Did you also, like the Vice President Bozidar Djelic, think of resigning?
- Djelic has fulfilled his promise and his resignation was a principled, responsible and a highly moral act, which I respect. Resigning at this delicate moment would be running away from responsibility. I never shunned reasonable criticism, but rather sought it, as it contributes to finding better solutions. For me, Kosovo is not the most expensive word or a step in my career, it is a homeland for my family and me.
Not boycotting the Assembly
* Borislav Stefanovic and you have been criticized by the opposition for boycotting the parliamentary Committee for Kosovo and Metohija, to which you are obligated to submit reports.
- How can we discuss something that the Government, of which I am a member, has not considered and taken a position or issued a decision? As soon as the Government adopts the report, I will attend the session of the Committee in order to account for the position and the decision of the Government, and provide answers to any questions.
Seeking viable solution
* President Tadic aired the idea of dual sovereignty for Kosovo. Are new negotiations possible?
- It will not be easy, since significant part of the international community is obviously find it easiest to act according to stereotypes. That is why we must continue to be constructive and have the initiative, we must propose solutions which lead to compromise and protect our national interests. First we need to find a functional and sustainable solution.