"Compromise key to prosperous Balkans"

Dear all,

Statements such as "Compromise solution key to prosperity...." are as OLD MEN itself...

Mr. Jeremic get real,...Kosovo independence was the ONLY realistic compromise at the moment... international community did right thing, although with a bit of delay...

Anyway I am happy that new government in Serbia will soon be formed, which has indirectly recognised the Kosovo independence reality. This is a crucial starting point, and as you said "[This} Compromise solution [is] key to prosperous Balkans"...

Stoping Kosovo independence is equal to stoping Oxygen for people breath...

Dear B92, since when have you turned into a mouthpiece of Jeremic and take the trouble of publishing his speech in full. This is sloppy journalism and shere propaganda.

I too agree that a solution that is mutually acceptable is in the best interest of the region.
As soon as someone comes up with it put it to a vote between the 2 countries. Until that time Kosovo should continue on the course they are on establishing a democratic state and gaining international recognition.

"mutually acceptable solution"

Great aren't we all for that?

What is that Serbia cannot accept in the FACT that the DEMOS of Kosova wants’ to be self-governed?

Mr.Jeremic or his speechwriter employ eloquence second to none when presenting Serbia's case.Did he give this speech in Serbian or in English?The majority of students at my school would not be able to match this kind of use of the English language.Serbia's representatives once again have proven that the pen is often mightier than the sword.His speech should be broadcast to all the schools in Kosovo so the future generation there has an idea of what a great mind sounds like as opposed to having thugs and thieves as examples as leaders who should actually be shunned and not admired.Bravo to Serbia.

And while Vuk was still preparing his speech Holland's FM;

"justified his decision to reject the accord in parliament, saying that Serbia's promise of cooperation with the International Criminal Court (ICC) was not total"
The Netherlands to reject EU-Serbia accord. http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1213134423.24

ET TU EU...

Without compromise, there is no end to this issue. Whoever believes that any foreign influence can force a one-sided solution is naive. Why do people believe that either side will ever allow the other to achieve their own goals without a compromised solution? Let's get realistic. EU and US leaders will come and go, but this will end in full out war in the future if compromise is not seriously considered now. At that point, who knows what forces will influence politics and one side or the other will suffer even greater losses than have been experienced in the past 10 years. No one is considering realistic, long term solutions that are beneficial to both sides. If this doesn't occur now, someone's children or grandchildren will pay the price.

Dim Tuc,

there will be no partition of "Kosova" since there IS no kosova...

it´s all Serbia.

"Compromise key to prosperity" etc.

Which compromise? In 2 years of negotiations, noone found one, including Belgrade and Pristina. That's because there is nothing much in between autonomy (Belgrade's starting point) and independence (Pristina's starting point).

Sorry for stating the obvious, but surely I'm not the only one that gets tired of hearing that empty word, whether from Jeremic, or from people on this list.

If you want compromise, offer some ideas.

The only ones I can think of are:

1. Partition of Kosova
2. Confederation between Serbia and Kosova
3. Confederation of an independent Kosova into Serb and Albanian constituent entities (Cyprus plan model)

Personally I'm in favour of the third. Serbia doesn't like it because it is still independence. Kosova doesn't like it because it greatly extends the power of the Serbian entities in the Ahtisaari Plan.

But for Serbia it ofers a clearer mechanism for direct influence and connection with its K Serb brethren - already in the A Plan to an extent, plus clearer institutins for their protection. For Kosova it offers and independence more likely to gain UN recognition and thus a quicker move to the EU, along with the possibility of not having a hostile minority from the outset.

May I be so bold as to enquire who the word "mutually" refers to?

Does it refer to the majority views of those living soley in Kosovo, the whole of Serbia, or a quick handshake behind closed doors between senior officials of the DS party and Hasim Thaci & co?

Jovan:
"there will be no partition of "Kosova" since there IS no kosova...it´s all Serbia."

Thanks for such intelligent, enlightening, constructive discussion Jovan.

And Bangladesh is all Pakistan ...

luciano,

Mr. Jeremic is a Harvard Graduate, so I'm sure his understanding of the English language is more than adequate. I have no doubt that he can be eloquent enough to write the speech as written in the article.

If anyone thinks that tens of thousands of Albanians will be moved so Serbia can land, they are sorely mistaken. Serbia might get to keep the North whee they are a clear majority and where there is a natural division. Anything more will have to involve Presevo etc. Kosovo is small and poor as it is, the DI has been decided so it can't be much smaller and with churches owning patches here and there.

Regarding the speech: it's a speech, no one cares. The decision makers know all that already.

DimTuc

I think you may be right here. I don't believe anymore that whatever steps are taken will cause a massive precedent like was earlier feared, indeed two of those three choices would probably be the only things to discuss (sorry, but negotiations about choice two would not even start).

I think that such options should be discussed ASAP for the benefit of both sides, there's no way either will win with the way things are going now, from what I see.

@Dim Tuc: Off course confederation would be the best solution there! De jure whan country, de facto two. and if they would be integrated into the EU, all could be happy. But they are far to stubborn down there to see this solution!

@adrian
You speaks using the head but over there People speaks with the stomach...And we are waiting Ireland..if it comes a no Eu priority won't be enlargement but rebuilding istitution with countries that believe in it ..

Finally little Vuk has made a good move ! He has come to Rome spoken with Frattini (may i say so ? ) and soften his tone...
Bravo...

"Our people have spoken: the decisive victory of pro-European forces at the May 11 parliamentary election signals our national confirmation to pursue a political course that rapidly leads to full membership of the European Union."

If the victory was so decisive, why is Tadic & Co. still struggling to form the government one month later???

Dear all,

Statements such as "Compromise solution key to prosperity...." are as OLD MEN itself...

Mr. Jeremic get real,...Kosovo independence was the ONLY realistic compromise at the moment... international community did right thing, although with a bit of delay...

Anyway I am happy that new government in Serbia will soon be formed, which has indirectly recognised the Kosovo independence reality. This is a crucial starting point, and as you said "[This} Compromise solution [is] key to prosperous Balkans"...

Stoping Kosovo independence is equal to stoping Oxygen for people breath...

"mutually acceptable solution"

Great aren't we all for that?

What is that Serbia cannot accept in the FACT that the DEMOS of Kosova wants’ to be self-governed?

I too agree that a solution that is mutually acceptable is in the best interest of the region.
As soon as someone comes up with it put it to a vote between the 2 countries. Until that time Kosovo should continue on the course they are on establishing a democratic state and gaining international recognition.

Without compromise, there is no end to this issue. Whoever believes that any foreign influence can force a one-sided solution is naive. Why do people believe that either side will ever allow the other to achieve their own goals without a compromised solution? Let's get realistic. EU and US leaders will come and go, but this will end in full out war in the future if compromise is not seriously considered now. At that point, who knows what forces will influence politics and one side or the other will suffer even greater losses than have been experienced in the past 10 years. No one is considering realistic, long term solutions that are beneficial to both sides. If this doesn't occur now, someone's children or grandchildren will pay the price.

Dim Tuc,

there will be no partition of "Kosova" since there IS no kosova...

it´s all Serbia.

Mr.Jeremic or his speechwriter employ eloquence second to none when presenting Serbia's case.Did he give this speech in Serbian or in English?The majority of students at my school would not be able to match this kind of use of the English language.Serbia's representatives once again have proven that the pen is often mightier than the sword.His speech should be broadcast to all the schools in Kosovo so the future generation there has an idea of what a great mind sounds like as opposed to having thugs and thieves as examples as leaders who should actually be shunned and not admired.Bravo to Serbia.

And while Vuk was still preparing his speech Holland's FM;

"justified his decision to reject the accord in parliament, saying that Serbia's promise of cooperation with the International Criminal Court (ICC) was not total"
The Netherlands to reject EU-Serbia accord. http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1213134423.24

ET TU EU...

Dear B92, since when have you turned into a mouthpiece of Jeremic and take the trouble of publishing his speech in full. This is sloppy journalism and shere propaganda.

"Compromise key to prosperity" etc.

Which compromise? In 2 years of negotiations, noone found one, including Belgrade and Pristina. That's because there is nothing much in between autonomy (Belgrade's starting point) and independence (Pristina's starting point).

Sorry for stating the obvious, but surely I'm not the only one that gets tired of hearing that empty word, whether from Jeremic, or from people on this list.

If you want compromise, offer some ideas.

The only ones I can think of are:

1. Partition of Kosova
2. Confederation between Serbia and Kosova
3. Confederation of an independent Kosova into Serb and Albanian constituent entities (Cyprus plan model)

Personally I'm in favour of the third. Serbia doesn't like it because it is still independence. Kosova doesn't like it because it greatly extends the power of the Serbian entities in the Ahtisaari Plan.

But for Serbia it ofers a clearer mechanism for direct influence and connection with its K Serb brethren - already in the A Plan to an extent, plus clearer institutins for their protection. For Kosova it offers and independence more likely to gain UN recognition and thus a quicker move to the EU, along with the possibility of not having a hostile minority from the outset.

May I be so bold as to enquire who the word "mutually" refers to?

Does it refer to the majority views of those living soley in Kosovo, the whole of Serbia, or a quick handshake behind closed doors between senior officials of the DS party and Hasim Thaci & co?

@Dim Tuc: Off course confederation would be the best solution there! De jure whan country, de facto two. and if they would be integrated into the EU, all could be happy. But they are far to stubborn down there to see this solution!

DimTuc

I think you may be right here. I don't believe anymore that whatever steps are taken will cause a massive precedent like was earlier feared, indeed two of those three choices would probably be the only things to discuss (sorry, but negotiations about choice two would not even start).

I think that such options should be discussed ASAP for the benefit of both sides, there's no way either will win with the way things are going now, from what I see.

@adrian
You speaks using the head but over there People speaks with the stomach...And we are waiting Ireland..if it comes a no Eu priority won't be enlargement but rebuilding istitution with countries that believe in it ..

Finally little Vuk has made a good move ! He has come to Rome spoken with Frattini (may i say so ? ) and soften his tone...
Bravo...

luciano,

Mr. Jeremic is a Harvard Graduate, so I'm sure his understanding of the English language is more than adequate. I have no doubt that he can be eloquent enough to write the speech as written in the article.

If anyone thinks that tens of thousands of Albanians will be moved so Serbia can land, they are sorely mistaken. Serbia might get to keep the North whee they are a clear majority and where there is a natural division. Anything more will have to involve Presevo etc. Kosovo is small and poor as it is, the DI has been decided so it can't be much smaller and with churches owning patches here and there.

Regarding the speech: it's a speech, no one cares. The decision makers know all that already.

Jovan:
"there will be no partition of "Kosova" since there IS no kosova...it´s all Serbia."

Thanks for such intelligent, enlightening, constructive discussion Jovan.

And Bangladesh is all Pakistan ...

"Our people have spoken: the decisive victory of pro-European forces at the May 11 parliamentary election signals our national confirmation to pursue a political course that rapidly leads to full membership of the European Union."

If the victory was so decisive, why is Tadic & Co. still struggling to form the government one month later???