“Serbia and Kosovo should join EU together”

if serbia has to wait until kosovo becomes an eu entity, 2014 in the eu is an incredibly optimistic date.

The 7 CEFTA countries with a total of only 30 million people can join the EU TOMORROW and there will be NO NEGATIVE economic consequences for the EU.Even if certain EU countries impose regulations on the free movement of labor for a temporary period of 7 years the fact remains that it is preferable to the existing limbo.It is ridiculous to postpone the entry until 2014.Do you think anybody in the EU would object if Norway,Iceland,Liechtenstein or Switzerland applied to join tomorrow?I think NOT.The EU must think outside the box TODAY and offer a benefit that outweighs the cost in the eyes of a majority of rational people in the Balkans.BOLD steps are needed to pacify the separatist movements in Moldova,Serbia,Macedonia,Bosnia and Montenegro and only the EU carrot can accomplish this but it must be extended RIGHT NOW or else keep Bosnia and Kosovo EU protectorates as long as needed.

No thank you. We're not interested in joining the EU or giving up our territory.

Thanks. But no thanks. As a european citizen I'd rather not have an open border with Kosovo. That's the sort of trouble we can do without.

All the other Balkan States are welcome, even Turkey, but Albania and KosovA, no way. Maybe in about 50 years IF in that time they have put aside the Kanon and learned to function as a modern society.

Garton Ash wrote, adding that “Milošević, not the EU, lost Kosovo for Serbia”.

and Milosevic was elected by the Serbian people... the great hero and savior.

well here you are... you can beat your cows now

The only reason I like the idea is that is peaceful.
Now everyone talks about joining EU, I for one don't believe that EU will last forever.It's not the same like with USA. In US everyone speaks english, they have one president and everyone considers themselves an American. In Europe that will never happen.It's to many countries which econommicaly are not on the same level and I think it's happening to fast. No disrespect to nobody but few years back Romania and Bulgaria we know where they were and now suddenly they join EU and they think that they are in paradise.I think the formula of EU is not working and in few years time it will collapse. Living in UK made me understand why British don't want to have Euro as a currency and I have a strong believe that in ten years time EU will have more and more problems.It does make sense when it comes to the final status of Kosova/o but something someone has to give. Why the West bombed Serbia if they are not ready to give Kosovan People a clear status. They should by now do something as life in Kosova/o is getting from bad to worse.I think personally that Milosevic lost Kosova/o,and I think Kosova/o should have a status sorted long time now.It is hard to accept but you should do something about it when the time was right,now is to late and western powers will decide about Kosova/o which is shame.They should have a referendum in Kosova/o even though you will remind me that Kosova/o is Serbia!!!Thats not jump to conclusions yet.

if Mr.Garton Ashe is publishing this nonsense in a polish daily, there is nothing more to say ...
he has passed his zenith...

LOL Mr Ash must be drunk or something to just toss kosovo in the EU so they can flood the job market of europe is stupid. Mr Ash i hope you can sell golden bridge over the ibar. Turkey is a establish nation and you will invite them before Turkey? At least they have an economy and skilled labor. What does Kosovo have to offer??? Nothing, any degree you can obtain there can be bought and you don't have to attend any educational establishment. I cannot wait to see this idea floated to the international commitee. Bulgaria and Romania had to bend over backwards to get in and you expect kosovo to do back flips through hoops yea right. The UN maybe stupid but the EU is not ignorant. Those guys are out to make a buck not lost one.

To "louie": The only problem with EU extension is not that is happening to fast, but to slow! If EU would have been consolidated&extended in East-Europe in mid-nineties, maybe a lot of bad things would have been prevented in Balkans (e.g. Kosovo drama). As a Romanian, from a country who is now part of EU (and proud of it), I would like to stress that EU membership is not only about economy, but also shared political values. Maybe Romania and Bulgaria are not so rich now (although between WW1 and WW2 they were a lot of Balkan people such as Greeks and Albanians but also Armenians, Georgians, et alii emigrating into Romania for economical reasons!)
but at least their inhabitanst are sharing the same values as other EU contries - and this was more than once proved in the last 15 years. I am sorry for you, Louie, that you (living in UK) got contaminated with the British-style Europhobia, but seeing everything through the lenses of economy will not help in assessing corectly the EU construction and its future... After all, Yugoslavians were enjoing a life economically far-better than Romanians and Bulgarians, up to 1990, and now, where are more than half of those people? In countries or regions (Kosovo is not a country yet!) at the bottom list of EU accession!!! Why? If you are from former Yugoslavia, than you don't need me to answer this question...

To"George",
I respect your country,but still think the EU formula will not work in a long run.You said that is not all about economy but shared potical values!!!Remind me if I am wrong but wasn't that in Romania,now so proud to be in EU,we saw live on tv how they killed their president Causesku.Now you can tell me all day how you have moved on and that you are a very good country,but I just don't beleive it.Kosova/o will become a country eventially and I think they deserve to be.And I am surprised that majority of Romania doesn't respect the will of mayority of Kosova/o who suffered a lot lately.But maybe afer being for a while as a EU member you will see things differently!!!Cheerio.

To "louie":
What has to do Ceausescu (!) with Kosovo?

Ceausescu was the last person executed under Romanian law, after which death penalty was deleted from the Romanian criminal code ... I don't know what you think, but generally, such decision it is condsidered as a proof of embracing democratic values. By the way, regardless that you are of Albanian origin or that you may be now UK citizen, let me remind you that K/Albanians (and Britons)great friend, US, is not doing very well in this domain! So much for talking about "being a good country" (something I haven't said!), maybe next time you'll not jump to conclusions so quickly about countries and you'll just remain focused on provinces!
Also I am looking forward to see, when the time will come, the human rights record of the new independent Kosovo (meaning Albanian-dominated central and local authorities) -
that for sure will be something to analyse. So far, and I hate to upset you, what is happening in Kosovo (where I am currently) it is not so encouraging. But probably things will change as by miracle when Ahtisaari plan will be implemented? Maybe. Maybe not. And if K/Albanians believe EU will be so easy to full around as UNMIK was, than they will be very dissapointed... See J. Ham reply, above.

Last but not least, I wonder how you got the idea, (from my posting?) "that majority of Romania doesn't respect the will of mayority of Kosova/o who suffered a lot lately." ???
Majority of Romanians, to be sincere, don't care about Kosovo. We have better things to do, as we always had, that's why we are in EU and NATO. Our only interest is to have peace South of Danube, and to support those who work for preserving the peace. When is about political decisions, then it should be reminded that Kosovo problem was not created by us, so if K/Albanians are looking for compasion, they should look to those countries who assisted so far in the creation of the "independent" Kosovo, starting with bombing Serbia. What Romanians know for sure is that we are neighbours with Serbia, not with Kosovo, so it is Kosovars problem how they deal with Serbia, not Romania's problem. And if the big countries will decide for an independent Kosovo, do not expect Romanians to fall enlove with this! K Albanians should prove themselves as a responsible nation, and only after they may ask for respect and recognition from people who had no responsibility in their suffering (which I don't deny, but also I do not consider it may be used to justify everything!!!)
Until then, best to you and Kosovo people!

To "George",I understand where you coming from.I agree with you with a lot of things.Sorry if I have upset you.There are few things I wanted to discuss.You said you are working in Kosova/o,fine,now has been few years already.So far you have met a lot kosovan people,maybe you rented a room or two in their house,driving a big white jeep with the UNMIK sign.Everything is ok by me but you seem to be a bit upset when Kosova/o is mentioned as a country and you keep referring to as a province.You said the mayority of Romamians don't care about Kosovo as they are to busy on other things.I am not asking for compation from Romanians but being neutral on this one as Kosovan Albanians never caused a big upset to Romania.I am not saying that it will easy do be independent but give them a time.When I come next time to Peja or Pristina I will say hello and buy you a nice cold Peja Beer.See you soon my friend.

if serbia has to wait until kosovo becomes an eu entity, 2014 in the eu is an incredibly optimistic date.

The 7 CEFTA countries with a total of only 30 million people can join the EU TOMORROW and there will be NO NEGATIVE economic consequences for the EU.Even if certain EU countries impose regulations on the free movement of labor for a temporary period of 7 years the fact remains that it is preferable to the existing limbo.It is ridiculous to postpone the entry until 2014.Do you think anybody in the EU would object if Norway,Iceland,Liechtenstein or Switzerland applied to join tomorrow?I think NOT.The EU must think outside the box TODAY and offer a benefit that outweighs the cost in the eyes of a majority of rational people in the Balkans.BOLD steps are needed to pacify the separatist movements in Moldova,Serbia,Macedonia,Bosnia and Montenegro and only the EU carrot can accomplish this but it must be extended RIGHT NOW or else keep Bosnia and Kosovo EU protectorates as long as needed.

No thank you. We're not interested in joining the EU or giving up our territory.

Thanks. But no thanks. As a european citizen I'd rather not have an open border with Kosovo. That's the sort of trouble we can do without.

All the other Balkan States are welcome, even Turkey, but Albania and KosovA, no way. Maybe in about 50 years IF in that time they have put aside the Kanon and learned to function as a modern society.

Garton Ash wrote, adding that “Milošević, not the EU, lost Kosovo for Serbia”.

and Milosevic was elected by the Serbian people... the great hero and savior.

well here you are... you can beat your cows now

The only reason I like the idea is that is peaceful.
Now everyone talks about joining EU, I for one don't believe that EU will last forever.It's not the same like with USA. In US everyone speaks english, they have one president and everyone considers themselves an American. In Europe that will never happen.It's to many countries which econommicaly are not on the same level and I think it's happening to fast. No disrespect to nobody but few years back Romania and Bulgaria we know where they were and now suddenly they join EU and they think that they are in paradise.I think the formula of EU is not working and in few years time it will collapse. Living in UK made me understand why British don't want to have Euro as a currency and I have a strong believe that in ten years time EU will have more and more problems.It does make sense when it comes to the final status of Kosova/o but something someone has to give. Why the West bombed Serbia if they are not ready to give Kosovan People a clear status. They should by now do something as life in Kosova/o is getting from bad to worse.I think personally that Milosevic lost Kosova/o,and I think Kosova/o should have a status sorted long time now.It is hard to accept but you should do something about it when the time was right,now is to late and western powers will decide about Kosova/o which is shame.They should have a referendum in Kosova/o even though you will remind me that Kosova/o is Serbia!!!Thats not jump to conclusions yet.

if Mr.Garton Ashe is publishing this nonsense in a polish daily, there is nothing more to say ...
he has passed his zenith...

LOL Mr Ash must be drunk or something to just toss kosovo in the EU so they can flood the job market of europe is stupid. Mr Ash i hope you can sell golden bridge over the ibar. Turkey is a establish nation and you will invite them before Turkey? At least they have an economy and skilled labor. What does Kosovo have to offer??? Nothing, any degree you can obtain there can be bought and you don't have to attend any educational establishment. I cannot wait to see this idea floated to the international commitee. Bulgaria and Romania had to bend over backwards to get in and you expect kosovo to do back flips through hoops yea right. The UN maybe stupid but the EU is not ignorant. Those guys are out to make a buck not lost one.

To "louie": The only problem with EU extension is not that is happening to fast, but to slow! If EU would have been consolidated&extended in East-Europe in mid-nineties, maybe a lot of bad things would have been prevented in Balkans (e.g. Kosovo drama). As a Romanian, from a country who is now part of EU (and proud of it), I would like to stress that EU membership is not only about economy, but also shared political values. Maybe Romania and Bulgaria are not so rich now (although between WW1 and WW2 they were a lot of Balkan people such as Greeks and Albanians but also Armenians, Georgians, et alii emigrating into Romania for economical reasons!)
but at least their inhabitanst are sharing the same values as other EU contries - and this was more than once proved in the last 15 years. I am sorry for you, Louie, that you (living in UK) got contaminated with the British-style Europhobia, but seeing everything through the lenses of economy will not help in assessing corectly the EU construction and its future... After all, Yugoslavians were enjoing a life economically far-better than Romanians and Bulgarians, up to 1990, and now, where are more than half of those people? In countries or regions (Kosovo is not a country yet!) at the bottom list of EU accession!!! Why? If you are from former Yugoslavia, than you don't need me to answer this question...

To"George",
I respect your country,but still think the EU formula will not work in a long run.You said that is not all about economy but shared potical values!!!Remind me if I am wrong but wasn't that in Romania,now so proud to be in EU,we saw live on tv how they killed their president Causesku.Now you can tell me all day how you have moved on and that you are a very good country,but I just don't beleive it.Kosova/o will become a country eventially and I think they deserve to be.And I am surprised that majority of Romania doesn't respect the will of mayority of Kosova/o who suffered a lot lately.But maybe afer being for a while as a EU member you will see things differently!!!Cheerio.

To "louie":
What has to do Ceausescu (!) with Kosovo?

Ceausescu was the last person executed under Romanian law, after which death penalty was deleted from the Romanian criminal code ... I don't know what you think, but generally, such decision it is condsidered as a proof of embracing democratic values. By the way, regardless that you are of Albanian origin or that you may be now UK citizen, let me remind you that K/Albanians (and Britons)great friend, US, is not doing very well in this domain! So much for talking about "being a good country" (something I haven't said!), maybe next time you'll not jump to conclusions so quickly about countries and you'll just remain focused on provinces!
Also I am looking forward to see, when the time will come, the human rights record of the new independent Kosovo (meaning Albanian-dominated central and local authorities) -
that for sure will be something to analyse. So far, and I hate to upset you, what is happening in Kosovo (where I am currently) it is not so encouraging. But probably things will change as by miracle when Ahtisaari plan will be implemented? Maybe. Maybe not. And if K/Albanians believe EU will be so easy to full around as UNMIK was, than they will be very dissapointed... See J. Ham reply, above.

Last but not least, I wonder how you got the idea, (from my posting?) "that majority of Romania doesn't respect the will of mayority of Kosova/o who suffered a lot lately." ???
Majority of Romanians, to be sincere, don't care about Kosovo. We have better things to do, as we always had, that's why we are in EU and NATO. Our only interest is to have peace South of Danube, and to support those who work for preserving the peace. When is about political decisions, then it should be reminded that Kosovo problem was not created by us, so if K/Albanians are looking for compasion, they should look to those countries who assisted so far in the creation of the "independent" Kosovo, starting with bombing Serbia. What Romanians know for sure is that we are neighbours with Serbia, not with Kosovo, so it is Kosovars problem how they deal with Serbia, not Romania's problem. And if the big countries will decide for an independent Kosovo, do not expect Romanians to fall enlove with this! K Albanians should prove themselves as a responsible nation, and only after they may ask for respect and recognition from people who had no responsibility in their suffering (which I don't deny, but also I do not consider it may be used to justify everything!!!)
Until then, best to you and Kosovo people!

To "George",I understand where you coming from.I agree with you with a lot of things.Sorry if I have upset you.There are few things I wanted to discuss.You said you are working in Kosova/o,fine,now has been few years already.So far you have met a lot kosovan people,maybe you rented a room or two in their house,driving a big white jeep with the UNMIK sign.Everything is ok by me but you seem to be a bit upset when Kosova/o is mentioned as a country and you keep referring to as a province.You said the mayority of Romamians don't care about Kosovo as they are to busy on other things.I am not asking for compation from Romanians but being neutral on this one as Kosovan Albanians never caused a big upset to Romania.I am not saying that it will easy do be independent but give them a time.When I come next time to Peja or Pristina I will say hello and buy you a nice cold Peja Beer.See you soon my friend.