Kosovo: obstacle on Serbia's path to EU
I spent the last couple of days in Belgrade where I got firsthand experience on the current political crisis in Serbia. If I needed to sum it all up in a sentence, it would be: the situation is grim.
The crisis I am referring to was caused by Kosovo’s declaration of independence that happened on February 17. Serbian authorities were quick to label the declaration as illegal; however, that did not stop the United States and many EU countries from recognizing Kosovo’s independence. Russia and China are backing Serbia in its quest to keep Kosovo.
During the first couple of days after the declaration, it became clear that Serbs got split between those who deeply care about Kosovo and those who don’t. Those who don’t were silent, while those who do – protested. During the protests, many diplomatic missions in Belgrade were attacked. The embassy of the United States was set on fire thus presenting Serbia’s population in the most derogatory way to the international community. Moreover, the scarce presence of police forces in front of the embassies during the protests makes me believe Serbian authorities sponsored those attacks.
Now, two weeks after the protests, the situation is still critical. Serbia’s radical party, supported by the majority of the parliament, is calling for a resolution that will give EU an ultimatum: treat Kosovo as a part of Serbia or we will stop our negotiations concerning EU membership. The radicals believe this is a small condition on Serbia’s side, however it is a condition the EU cannot fulfill. It is up to its member states to recognize Kosovo and since many of them already did, it is naïve to assume all of them will change their stance just because of Serbia’s “small condition.”
Having that in mind, if the resolution is approved, Serbia will most probably never join the EU and will probably never become a decent member of the international community, with or without Kosovo.
Because it is an issue of great controversy, we will most probably never see Serbian parliament voting on that resolution. Serbs will most probably get to decide about it in a referendum. Having in mind how close the victory of pro-western Boris Tadic was on the recent presidential elections, I am concerned about the outcome of such a referendum. Serbia is split and that split is most probably even.
Nationalists say Serbia should not become a member of a union that stripped it of its own territory. They would rather isolate Serbia than accept the reality that is bitter for them. Kosovo is gone, and gone it is for good.
Originally posted on www.defactobg.com.
Photo courtesy of The New York Times.
Tagged as Kosovo, Politics, Serbia + Categorized as Opinions, Politics
Serbian President Boris Tadic has said he will call an early general election after the coalition government fell apart over policy on Kosovo.
Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica announced the collapse after failing to get his cabinet to reject closer EU ties in protest at independence.
Translation: We are in shithole.
well, exactly as mentioned – the situation IS grim. and yet it’s up to the Serbs to decide what is that they really want…
I don’t know about you, but I get really worried when Serbs get to decide something that might influence world politics.
they should choose what is they want for THEMSELVES in the first place. if everyone else is entitled to the right of following their state interests, why do you find it worrisome in this case?
i believe the danger is internal… :(
I find it worrisome because the danger isn’t just internal. A lot of countries think strongly about the Kosovo issue and that could lead to global disputes. I think it’s probable that, if nationalism prevails in Serbia, it will try to take back Kosovo using any means necessary and Russia will most probably support it. :(
Yeah, well – as you pointed out, I did not make it clear enough. It’s not that there is no external danger – it’s VERY worrisome about the international system as a whole, in the sense of precendent that Kosovo sets and the implications it may have for other similar regions. And although I believe that internal Serbian politics will not have a major impact on global politics, I would agree with you to the extent that the outcome may decide the future of the official “handling” of the barrier that Kosovo sets on the path to the EU. And yet, as I already mentioned, I think that the US and EU (in the “name” of NATO) will make sure that the Kosovars are protected well enough, as their interests depend directly on that as well.
In any case, I see Serbia in the position of making a very difficult choice at a time it is not exactly capable of making one. I just really hope that the pragmatic/realistic people will prove to be a majority, when the future is at stake…
And well, unfortunately, at the moment we can’t do more than just keep our fingers crossed… :(
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSL14918120080314?rpc=60
oh well… TOO SAD…
What’s next? Will Mr. Joachim Ruecker blame the Serbian government when he fails to reason with the citizens of Kosovo who are under his jurisdiction?!
This is pathetic!
I know… but then, exactly – they may let them do this all so as to find some further points to blame the Serbs for later on… As I see it, they are either really unable to “reason” with the citizens under their own jurisdiction – as you put it – implying that they need more forces in there, or it’s all being done (or at least – allowed to happen) for a certain purpose. And i don’t know which is worse…