Team chief: Kosovo stamp has no statehood attributes

Sure mate, whatever makes you happy :D

The important things is that Serbia will have to nulify the ban on Kosovo goods in a couple of days. Kosovo haven't change anything since it's the same custom stamp used since 2008.

You diden't recognize this stamp for 3 years and now when Prishtina put recitocety measuers against you and you lose 40 million in just a couple of weeks you bow down and recognize the very same stamp you haven't recognized for 3 year. It means the reciprocety mesures from Prishtina was important for us to reach an agreement. if Prishtina woulden't used reciprocety against Serbia then Serbia would never recognize the stamp of Kosovo.

Only pressure and force can a serb understand! Dialoug diden't work this time since you diden't want the same deal before 25 july.

Edita Tahiri is a smart women and older than Stefanovic. She made him bow down to reality!! He diden't look so glad when he came out of the meeting if you saw the video on Tanjug :D She puted him on place....

“It’s a stamp that Priština has been using so far. However, Priština’s delegation has several times so far voiced its stance that it should say ‘Republic of Kosovo’, with Kosovo’s coat of arms. This agreement has also defined our treatment of such customs documentation in form of an additional stamp. That was not agreed upfront,” Stefanović told the daily.

So, in fact he admits that the very same custom stamps are used, that they have always been status neutral (confirmed by UNMIK/CEFTA), and that Serbia was wrong when it decided not to recognize them some years ago?

It was very clear that the EU would not allow a stamp with 'Republic of Kosovo' on it.

How do Kosovo's custom stamps differ from Vojvodina's custom stamps?

It was well expected of Serbia to try and dress this up as a "victory" in the media even though Kosovo has not changed it's stance, Kosovo has agreed to something it chose back in 2008.

You agree to their stamp,you basiclly agree to the independence of Kosovo.

Serbia can not win.
-The international courts found that Kosovo did not violate international law when they declared independence (at Serbia's request).
-The embargo on Kosovo goods thus far by Serbia has been reversed because of violations of the CEFTA agreement.
-Recognition of Kosovo has continued to grow, and no countries have withdrawn recognition (as Serbia claimed would occur after they filed "lawsuits")
*** The only way Serbia can win is to trade the inevitable (recognition of Kosovo) for the valuable (EU). Cut a deal while you still have some ground.

"He once again pointed out that the agreement on customs stamp was “status neutral”.

“The difference is that accompanying customs documentation is finally harmonized in a status neutral way. International guarantees have been given that it will be so and Priština confirmed that this was the final look of the stamp, without any variations that they were proposing,” the team head was quoted as saying."

All along I had thought that Belgrade objected only to the Kosovo Customs stamp. And I had also thought that this was not reasonable since, objectively, UMMIK has already stated that the stamp did not contravene 1244.

Now it would appear from this article that the dispute was not only about Kosovo's stamp. It was also about "accompanying customs documentation". Could it be that these accompaying documents had intially contained some attributes of statehood (maybe some state emblem or coats of arms)? In which case I think Belgrade would have a case about their status neutrality.

In any case, its a good thing that all documentation is now to be status neutral so that an agreement is possible. But I am still curious about what's originally on those "accompanying customs documentation". So if anyone has the info, please share. Thanks in advance.

Serbia media continues to overstate the message and their politicians like the article I am commenting. I am not sure why you are writing 8 articles in a single day about - restating the same message over and over. I sense nervousness in the Serb camp and reading comments in b92 (non-english) and blic (non-english) clearly shows who capitulated. .

“The difference is that accompanying customs documentation is finally harmonized in a status neutral way. International guarantees have been given that it will be so and Priština confirmed that this was the final look of the stamp, without any variations that they were proposing,”

Looking at the comments on B92 Serbian, no one is buying his lies. The stamp has been like this since 2008 "Kosovo Customs" (in Albanian, Serbian and English). The funny part is that papers accompanying the merchandise to the destination (To Germany for example) have "Republic of Kosovo," and Serbia cannot do anything about them, or embargo is back on. You cannot change the papers for legal reasons, they need to be original down to the last destination so the origin of merchandise is clear. So this is just the beginning

" It was very clear that the EU would not allow a stamp with 'Republic of Kosovo' on it. analyst "

Go to Sweden and buy a product from kosovo and you can see the logo on the product saying " produced in republic of kosovo "
Go to Norway, Finland, Denmark, France, Italy, Austria etc.

"So, in fact he admits that the very same custom stamps are used, that they have always been status neutral (confirmed by UNMIK/CEFTA), and that Serbia was wrong when it decided not to recognize them some years ago?

It was very clear that the EU would not allow a stamp with 'Republic of Kosovo' on it.
(Analyst, 4 September 2011 11:12)"

Right, now who can not see a legal suit against Serbia for violating international agreements unilaterally for 3 years, causing millions in damages? All the court needs to see is admission of guilt (like this piece) and a motive (Serbia is Kosovo or whatever).

Serbia can also win in the long term by showing to Albanians in Kosovo and convincing them that being part of Serbia is more beneficial for them than being independent.
(icj1, 4 September 2011 16:40)

The problem with that is:
-In the long term Serbs would see it more beneficial to let Kosovo go rather than clenching to the past.
-The Albanians in Kosovo would consider joining Albania before joining Serbia.
You're right force wont work, self determination is the only rout.

*** The only way Serbia can win is to trade the inevitable (recognition of Kosovo) for the valuable (EU). Cut a deal while you still have some ground.
(Valon, 4 September 2011 15:00)

Serbia can also win in the long term by showing to Albanians in Kosovo and convincing them that being part of Serbia is more beneficial for them than being independent. For example, if it were geographically possible, Albanians in Kosovo would immediately give up their independence to become part of the US. However they would not do the same with Serbia. If Serbia convinces (without forcing) them to do the latter, Serbia would win.

Unfortunately, instead of taking the convincing approach, Serbia wants to force Albanians in Kosovo to come back under Serbia, regardless of whether they want that or not. The latter can't work. The former can work in the long term.

Go to Sweden and buy a product from kosovo and you can see the logo on the product saying " produced in republic of kosovo "
Go to Norway, Finland, Denmark, France, Italy, Austria etc.
(BT, 4 September 2011 13:34)

The only product from Kosovo I ever saw in a shop was this Kosovo wine, which only was labeled with 'Origin:Kosovo' (or so, without 'Republic') - not that I bought it.

Serbia can also win in the long term by showing to Albanians in Kosovo and convincing them that being part of Serbia is more beneficial for them than being independent. For example, if it were geographically possible, Albanians in Kosovo would immediately give up their independence to become part of the US. However they would not do the same with Serbia. If Serbia convinces (without forcing) them to do the latter, Serbia would win.

Unfortunately, instead of taking the convincing approach, Serbia wants to force Albanians in Kosovo to come back under Serbia, regardless of whether they want that or not. The latter can't work. The former can work in the long term.
(icj1, 4 September 2011 16:40)

icj1, I agree 100% that the only possible way for Serbia to win (by having Kosovo being part of Serbia) is to make the Kosovars want to be a part, and I agree that each and every action Serbia is taking is moving exactly in the wrong direction and will prove to be counterproductive.

I don't necessarily agree that it would be geographically impossible for Kosovo to become a state in the USA, or at least a territory. In fact, there are territories scattered around the world. It would be a win-win, since America would have a presence in Europe, and even though Kosovo's economy is awful, it is so small that America would never even notice the small drain. Kosovo would win because it would solve all recognition problems, and they could freely travel on US passports. Europe would win because it would eliminate the refugee and returnee problem. Serbia would win because they could claim that Kosovo was "stolen" from them, which would help with political stability since everyone could blame the USA instead of each other, and they wouldn't be stuck trying to hold on to a former territory filled with people who hate them and want nothing to do with them.

The only product from Kosovo I ever saw in a shop was this Kosovo wine, which only was labeled with 'Origin:Kosovo' (or so, without 'Republic') - not that I bought it.
(Analyst, 4 September 2011 21:29)

I’m sure there is a section set aside for BS produced in Kosovo or Albanian dreams as it would need lots and lots of room for the size of this fantasy.

Sure mate, whatever makes you happy :D

The important things is that Serbia will have to nulify the ban on Kosovo goods in a couple of days. Kosovo haven't change anything since it's the same custom stamp used since 2008.

You diden't recognize this stamp for 3 years and now when Prishtina put recitocety measuers against you and you lose 40 million in just a couple of weeks you bow down and recognize the very same stamp you haven't recognized for 3 year. It means the reciprocety mesures from Prishtina was important for us to reach an agreement. if Prishtina woulden't used reciprocety against Serbia then Serbia would never recognize the stamp of Kosovo.

Only pressure and force can a serb understand! Dialoug diden't work this time since you diden't want the same deal before 25 july.

Edita Tahiri is a smart women and older than Stefanovic. She made him bow down to reality!! He diden't look so glad when he came out of the meeting if you saw the video on Tanjug :D She puted him on place....

“It’s a stamp that Priština has been using so far. However, Priština’s delegation has several times so far voiced its stance that it should say ‘Republic of Kosovo’, with Kosovo’s coat of arms. This agreement has also defined our treatment of such customs documentation in form of an additional stamp. That was not agreed upfront,” Stefanović told the daily.

So, in fact he admits that the very same custom stamps are used, that they have always been status neutral (confirmed by UNMIK/CEFTA), and that Serbia was wrong when it decided not to recognize them some years ago?

It was very clear that the EU would not allow a stamp with 'Republic of Kosovo' on it.

How do Kosovo's custom stamps differ from Vojvodina's custom stamps?

It was well expected of Serbia to try and dress this up as a "victory" in the media even though Kosovo has not changed it's stance, Kosovo has agreed to something it chose back in 2008.

"So, in fact he admits that the very same custom stamps are used, that they have always been status neutral (confirmed by UNMIK/CEFTA), and that Serbia was wrong when it decided not to recognize them some years ago?

It was very clear that the EU would not allow a stamp with 'Republic of Kosovo' on it.
(Analyst, 4 September 2011 11:12)"

Right, now who can not see a legal suit against Serbia for violating international agreements unilaterally for 3 years, causing millions in damages? All the court needs to see is admission of guilt (like this piece) and a motive (Serbia is Kosovo or whatever).

You agree to their stamp,you basiclly agree to the independence of Kosovo.

“The difference is that accompanying customs documentation is finally harmonized in a status neutral way. International guarantees have been given that it will be so and Priština confirmed that this was the final look of the stamp, without any variations that they were proposing,”

Looking at the comments on B92 Serbian, no one is buying his lies. The stamp has been like this since 2008 "Kosovo Customs" (in Albanian, Serbian and English). The funny part is that papers accompanying the merchandise to the destination (To Germany for example) have "Republic of Kosovo," and Serbia cannot do anything about them, or embargo is back on. You cannot change the papers for legal reasons, they need to be original down to the last destination so the origin of merchandise is clear. So this is just the beginning

Serbia can not win.
-The international courts found that Kosovo did not violate international law when they declared independence (at Serbia's request).
-The embargo on Kosovo goods thus far by Serbia has been reversed because of violations of the CEFTA agreement.
-Recognition of Kosovo has continued to grow, and no countries have withdrawn recognition (as Serbia claimed would occur after they filed "lawsuits")
*** The only way Serbia can win is to trade the inevitable (recognition of Kosovo) for the valuable (EU). Cut a deal while you still have some ground.

" It was very clear that the EU would not allow a stamp with 'Republic of Kosovo' on it. analyst "

Go to Sweden and buy a product from kosovo and you can see the logo on the product saying " produced in republic of kosovo "
Go to Norway, Finland, Denmark, France, Italy, Austria etc.

Go to Sweden and buy a product from kosovo and you can see the logo on the product saying " produced in republic of kosovo "
Go to Norway, Finland, Denmark, France, Italy, Austria etc.
(BT, 4 September 2011 13:34)

The only product from Kosovo I ever saw in a shop was this Kosovo wine, which only was labeled with 'Origin:Kosovo' (or so, without 'Republic') - not that I bought it.

"He once again pointed out that the agreement on customs stamp was “status neutral”.

“The difference is that accompanying customs documentation is finally harmonized in a status neutral way. International guarantees have been given that it will be so and Priština confirmed that this was the final look of the stamp, without any variations that they were proposing,” the team head was quoted as saying."

All along I had thought that Belgrade objected only to the Kosovo Customs stamp. And I had also thought that this was not reasonable since, objectively, UMMIK has already stated that the stamp did not contravene 1244.

Now it would appear from this article that the dispute was not only about Kosovo's stamp. It was also about "accompanying customs documentation". Could it be that these accompaying documents had intially contained some attributes of statehood (maybe some state emblem or coats of arms)? In which case I think Belgrade would have a case about their status neutrality.

In any case, its a good thing that all documentation is now to be status neutral so that an agreement is possible. But I am still curious about what's originally on those "accompanying customs documentation". So if anyone has the info, please share. Thanks in advance.

Serbia media continues to overstate the message and their politicians like the article I am commenting. I am not sure why you are writing 8 articles in a single day about - restating the same message over and over. I sense nervousness in the Serb camp and reading comments in b92 (non-english) and blic (non-english) clearly shows who capitulated. .

Serbia can also win in the long term by showing to Albanians in Kosovo and convincing them that being part of Serbia is more beneficial for them than being independent. For example, if it were geographically possible, Albanians in Kosovo would immediately give up their independence to become part of the US. However they would not do the same with Serbia. If Serbia convinces (without forcing) them to do the latter, Serbia would win.

Unfortunately, instead of taking the convincing approach, Serbia wants to force Albanians in Kosovo to come back under Serbia, regardless of whether they want that or not. The latter can't work. The former can work in the long term.
(icj1, 4 September 2011 16:40)

icj1, I agree 100% that the only possible way for Serbia to win (by having Kosovo being part of Serbia) is to make the Kosovars want to be a part, and I agree that each and every action Serbia is taking is moving exactly in the wrong direction and will prove to be counterproductive.

I don't necessarily agree that it would be geographically impossible for Kosovo to become a state in the USA, or at least a territory. In fact, there are territories scattered around the world. It would be a win-win, since America would have a presence in Europe, and even though Kosovo's economy is awful, it is so small that America would never even notice the small drain. Kosovo would win because it would solve all recognition problems, and they could freely travel on US passports. Europe would win because it would eliminate the refugee and returnee problem. Serbia would win because they could claim that Kosovo was "stolen" from them, which would help with political stability since everyone could blame the USA instead of each other, and they wouldn't be stuck trying to hold on to a former territory filled with people who hate them and want nothing to do with them.

*** The only way Serbia can win is to trade the inevitable (recognition of Kosovo) for the valuable (EU). Cut a deal while you still have some ground.
(Valon, 4 September 2011 15:00)

Serbia can also win in the long term by showing to Albanians in Kosovo and convincing them that being part of Serbia is more beneficial for them than being independent. For example, if it were geographically possible, Albanians in Kosovo would immediately give up their independence to become part of the US. However they would not do the same with Serbia. If Serbia convinces (without forcing) them to do the latter, Serbia would win.

Unfortunately, instead of taking the convincing approach, Serbia wants to force Albanians in Kosovo to come back under Serbia, regardless of whether they want that or not. The latter can't work. The former can work in the long term.

Serbia can also win in the long term by showing to Albanians in Kosovo and convincing them that being part of Serbia is more beneficial for them than being independent.
(icj1, 4 September 2011 16:40)

The problem with that is:
-In the long term Serbs would see it more beneficial to let Kosovo go rather than clenching to the past.
-The Albanians in Kosovo would consider joining Albania before joining Serbia.
You're right force wont work, self determination is the only rout.

The only product from Kosovo I ever saw in a shop was this Kosovo wine, which only was labeled with 'Origin:Kosovo' (or so, without 'Republic') - not that I bought it.
(Analyst, 4 September 2011 21:29)

I’m sure there is a section set aside for BS produced in Kosovo or Albanian dreams as it would need lots and lots of room for the size of this fantasy.