Serbia to miss another gathering due to Kosovo issue

"According to an agreement reached by Belgrade and Priština on February 24, 2012 in Brussels, Kosovo should be represented in international meetings with a footnote stating “this designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSC 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence"."

I don't recall Germany agreeing to this.

Now what is the problem? Why skip an international meeting when Serbian PM and Kosova PM are having dinner together. It makes no sense at all.

"According to him, the host country has not fulfilled a recommendation of the Serbian government to place an asterisk and a footnote next to Kosovo’s name on the nameplate."

A small, underdeveloped Balkan state, involved in the worst atrocities that occured in late 20th century Europe is recommending to Europe's economic and political giant - the single biggest European economy- as to how they organize their events? It's ludicrous. Unsustainable if Serbia wants to ever join the EU...no Kosovo footnote is going to be in Brussels, either.

No country is going to choose serbia over KOSOVO! it's just a simple fact! We have so much support that sometimes it feels too much to handle...lol

If Germany agreed to making these notes and breaks their agreement that means they are once again on the wrong path and Serbia has all the rights to protest it any way they want.
(Simot, 18 January 2013 14:12)
That is the point this was an agreement between Serbia and Kosovo for attendance at regional meetings only. Serbia was very quick to deny that this was any agreement for Kosovo to participate in the international meetings outside the region. No other country was party to the agreement.
If you remember when clarification was sought from the EU mediator it was stressed that this was a recommendation to the host countries and they were still free to follow it or not, as they were not part of the dialogue nor parties to the agreement.
So Germany did not agree and would not have considering they are not status neutral, nor would the UK, the US, etc, etc.
If you check the B92 articles from that day you will see this was an agreement between Pristina Belgrade for regional forums. If you read later articles you will find that although Serbia insisted that the full footnote be on the nameplate, the EU determined that the agreement only said that the * was the only thing that had to be on the nameplate, but that host countries were not bound to these rules.

No country is going to choose serbia over KOSOVO! it's just a simple fact! We have so much support that sometimes it feels too much to handle...lol
(KOSOVO, 18 January 2013 15:14)

If that's the case you would have gotten instant recognition upon your deceleration (like real countries do) and would have been in the UN for 4 years now.

Or live in a fantasy, that works too. Reason being, its free to dream.

Wow, incredible! I'm speechless. This is truly the reason why the Balkans has such a good reputation everywhere.

So let me get this straight: Serbia wanted to impose on Germany its bilateral agreement with Kosovo. It is a first in international relations, but since this stance came from the Ministry of Agriculture, they should be forgiven for their ignorance.

The agreement was bilateral and valid for regional (Balkans) meetings only and with a lot of discretion for the host country. Why? Because no third country can be held to account for agreements made by others. It is international law and it is logical! Germany invites both sides and shows respect for them. NO other country can "recommend" Germany its international position. Least of all Serbia.

Serbia should understand its place in the greater order of things. It should understand its geopolitical worth and not inflate it as it does with monetary policy, history and mythology. It is self punishing and its of no help to anyone.

I would like to remind everyone of the very difficult situation created in Serbian agriculture in 2012 due to drought and climate change. Missing international meetings at a time when this problem will only get worst globally is unfair to the Serbian people who are witnessing 13% inflation.

"Or live in a fantasy, that works too. Reason being, its free to dream.
(Ari Gold,"


It took the Arvanitas 18 years for their independence against the Turks.


And in just 4 years most of the world does not recognise Serbia, but Kosovo yes. Especially the parts that Serbs love to live in the most.


Is that a dream or reality?

You know the answer, so might as well call the day a day, and the night a night.

Before the ridiculing of Serbia breaks loose in the comment section again i would like to remind people that agreements are agreements, and that if one side does not keep to these agreements that is just as wrong as if anyone doesnt keep their agreement, regardless how big or small either side in the agreement is.

People tend to forget about normal decency and justify people being indecent while forgetting that Serbia is a country and that ever person living in it is in fact a human being, over petty nonsense.

If Germany agreed to making these notes and breaks their agreement that means they are once again on the wrong path and Serbia has all the rights to protest it any way they want.

Please, read the agreement first. Then think twice who agreed what with whom and then come back to make your clever remarks.

No country is going to choose serbia over KOSOVO! it's just a simple fact! We have so much support that sometimes it feels too much to handle...lol
(KOSOVO, 18 January 2013 15:14)
========================
Yeah, you are a great asset to everyone.

"According to an agreement reached by Belgrade and Priština on February 24, 2012 in Brussels, Kosovo should be represented in international meetings with a footnote stating “this designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSC 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence"."

I don't recall Germany agreeing to this.
(Ian, UK, 18 January 2013 13:49)
==================
Maybe not but "kosova" did and they should keep their word.
Germany has an obligation to ask their invitees to keep to all agreements reached or it makes them just as crooked. It's like two sides agreeing not to bring guns to a meeting. Isn't it the job of the host to make sure that nobody is armed before they come in even though they did not sign any agreements about it? If one side brings a gun then the bouncer at the door should not let him in. A crude analogy but it seems that Albanians can't understand anything else.
But then again, when did it bother Germany to be crooked?

(Diplomaticus, 18 January 2013 16:34)

very well said!

You touched the two most important things in this and other similar stories.

1. Serbian lies: the agreement is bilateral; and is also limited geographically - for regional meetings only.

2. Serbian stupidity to "recommend" to Germany to put the asterisk or otherwise we will not come to Berlin. Completely out of touch with the reality about their place in Europe and international stage.

if it wasn’t tragic it would have been comical. But as you said in the beginning: it is Serbia we are talking about after all.

Serbia like any other independent country invited in that meeting is sovereign on deciding whether to attend this meeting or not. However, the excuse that Germany does not recognize the agreement on the footnote brings us to the point where we should ask a simple question on whether this new government knows geography?
The agreement on footnote is applicable to regional meetings. Germany is not Balkans country therefore any meeting like this one has international not regional character where footnote applies.
So to conclude my comment, Borko Stefanovic has confirmed (once agreement has been reached) that Serbia will continue to block Kosovo's participation or membership in all meetings and organizations where Serbia has blocking power, as this agreement is applicable to regional initiatives only.
Why asking Germany to respect the footnote now?

But then again, when did it bother Germany to be crooked?
(Peggy, 18 January 2013 23:46)

you are so full of it Peggy, or whatever ur real name is. Your agumentation concerning that question is also not just one-sides, as usual, but also simply wrong. The agreement is concerning regional meetings, and since when is Germany a balkan country?

Your hate towards Germany is obvious, and you don't see that so many Serbian people live in this country without any problems, and feel at home here. The money they send back to Serbia to support their families down there and is a major contribution to the serb economy. IT helps many famalies to simply survive. Don't forget that that Germany is the most important trade partner Serbia has, and without being able to seel serbian products here, the economy would even be worse there.
When it comes to dealing with one's past Germany should be a major example on how to come clean with more than shady parts of one's history, and the serb society should learn from the way we handled our past. I can already hear you screaming again, but face it or not, the world is pinning the war in the Balkans and all the horrible things which happened there on Serbia, just like it justifiably does pin the the holocaust and WWII on Germany. The difference is that we face it in a completly different way, and learn from it, instead of denying it. We are aware of what was done in our name, Serbia is still denying it.

Nothing says kosovo is an independent equal to serbia than serbia going to appoint an ambassador soon! LOL same thing with Dacic meeting with thaci month and proclaiming kosovo must have a UN seat. SO dacic can kosovo can have a UN seat but they are going to skip this meeting because kosovo is presented as to independent? No one is doing more for kosovo independence than serbia.

@(Ari Gold, 18 January 2013 15:40)

I do not know who is living in fantasies. Serbia is missing meetings, not Kosovo. :)

(Peggy, 18 January 2013 23:46)

You are calling Germany a 'crook'. You mean 98 UN states and counting, or %100 of the West (Europe), par Spain, aaand we all know why is that.

Peggy you analogy is crude and not meant for Albanians it is more along your way of thinking and by the way it is not even close to being accurate. The agreement in question was not even meant for use in Germany or other countries in the EU, it was for regional meetings only, if you review you will see Serbia's insistance on that as their opinion was that Kosovo should not be represented at any international meetings other than regional.
Therefore it is Serbia that is out of line for insisting anything to Germany. Since Germany has recognized and places Kosovo and Serbia at equal footing it is only natural that they would not cater to Serbia's demands, no more than should Italy want Serbia to appear with an * and a footnote. In your opinion Serbia and Kosovo are not equal, but in Germany the host nations eyes they are. So Serbia staying home and missing out on the opportunities to present its views and interests that is up to Serbia but Germany and Kosovo have no responsibility in that.

"If Germany agreed to making these notes and breaks their agreement that means they are once again on the wrong path and Serbia has all the rights to protest it any way they want."

Maybe, but who cares? Serbia's not really in a very powerfull position to say the least...

If that's the case you would have gotten instant recognition upon your deceleration (like real countries do) and would have been in the UN for 4 years now.

Or live in a fantasy, that works too. Reason being, its free to dream.
(Ari Gold, 18 January 2013 15:40)

Let's say Kosovo is not a real country (I'm still waiting for somebody to explain what's the definition of a "real country" in English) and let's go even further a say that Kosovo is a black hole, a Serbian province, a Serbian town, the hell of Earth, etc, etc, etc... I'm fine, dear, with whatever label you come up with...

But none of the labels changes the fact that Kosovo is independent from Serbia :)

The difference is that we face it in a completly different way, and learn from it, instead of denying it. We are aware of what was done in our name, Serbia is still denying it.
(Willi Pfaff, 19 January 2013 10:55)
============================
Willi, or whatever your Albanian name is,
I don't have hatred for Germany but my eyes are wide open to the crooked ways the German government is practicing. Germany has always and will always have dreams of conquering Europe. The first couple of times was a failure because they tried to use force, but not this time. They have learned to use their economy.

Serbs are not denying anything but they will not take on more than they did.
They have sent everyone Hague has asked for so what more do you want when it comes to facing your deeds?
Tadic has also made an apology which none of the other sides have so maybe that speech should be aimed at them.

well, not that it is of importance actually, but finally, Germany will certainly know that Serbia is more important to them than this illegal little freak-creation on southern-serbian territory.

so, count this as a little bit of caressing the albanian soul... but not more.

actually, the stupidity behind some of our dear k-albanian friends´ comments here is breathtaking!

but, hey, after all we are talking about Albanians, right?

and one of these stupids just paid with his life for being a thief. this idiots brother got away...and what was his first action? he ran to the "police", oh, excuse me, I mean these other thieves who are playing "police"...

thugs, thieves and cowards. you can be so proud of yourselves...

well, not that it is of importance actually, but finally, Germany will certainly know that Serbia is more important to them than this illegal little freak-creation on southern-serbian territory.
(Jovan, 19 January 2013 12:03)

Sure, as if Serbia were China and can bully others to do with Kosovo what they did with Taiwan. Serbs' megalomania is actually Kosovo's best asset...

"According to an agreement reached by Belgrade and Priština on February 24, 2012 in Brussels, Kosovo should be represented in international meetings with a footnote stating “this designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSC 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence"."

I don't recall Germany agreeing to this.

Before the ridiculing of Serbia breaks loose in the comment section again i would like to remind people that agreements are agreements, and that if one side does not keep to these agreements that is just as wrong as if anyone doesnt keep their agreement, regardless how big or small either side in the agreement is.

People tend to forget about normal decency and justify people being indecent while forgetting that Serbia is a country and that ever person living in it is in fact a human being, over petty nonsense.

If Germany agreed to making these notes and breaks their agreement that means they are once again on the wrong path and Serbia has all the rights to protest it any way they want.

No country is going to choose serbia over KOSOVO! it's just a simple fact! We have so much support that sometimes it feels too much to handle...lol
(KOSOVO, 18 January 2013 15:14)

If that's the case you would have gotten instant recognition upon your deceleration (like real countries do) and would have been in the UN for 4 years now.

Or live in a fantasy, that works too. Reason being, its free to dream.

Now what is the problem? Why skip an international meeting when Serbian PM and Kosova PM are having dinner together. It makes no sense at all.

"According to him, the host country has not fulfilled a recommendation of the Serbian government to place an asterisk and a footnote next to Kosovo’s name on the nameplate."

A small, underdeveloped Balkan state, involved in the worst atrocities that occured in late 20th century Europe is recommending to Europe's economic and political giant - the single biggest European economy- as to how they organize their events? It's ludicrous. Unsustainable if Serbia wants to ever join the EU...no Kosovo footnote is going to be in Brussels, either.

No country is going to choose serbia over KOSOVO! it's just a simple fact! We have so much support that sometimes it feels too much to handle...lol

Wow, incredible! I'm speechless. This is truly the reason why the Balkans has such a good reputation everywhere.

So let me get this straight: Serbia wanted to impose on Germany its bilateral agreement with Kosovo. It is a first in international relations, but since this stance came from the Ministry of Agriculture, they should be forgiven for their ignorance.

The agreement was bilateral and valid for regional (Balkans) meetings only and with a lot of discretion for the host country. Why? Because no third country can be held to account for agreements made by others. It is international law and it is logical! Germany invites both sides and shows respect for them. NO other country can "recommend" Germany its international position. Least of all Serbia.

Serbia should understand its place in the greater order of things. It should understand its geopolitical worth and not inflate it as it does with monetary policy, history and mythology. It is self punishing and its of no help to anyone.

I would like to remind everyone of the very difficult situation created in Serbian agriculture in 2012 due to drought and climate change. Missing international meetings at a time when this problem will only get worst globally is unfair to the Serbian people who are witnessing 13% inflation.

"According to an agreement reached by Belgrade and Priština on February 24, 2012 in Brussels, Kosovo should be represented in international meetings with a footnote stating “this designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSC 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence"."

I don't recall Germany agreeing to this.
(Ian, UK, 18 January 2013 13:49)
==================
Maybe not but "kosova" did and they should keep their word.
Germany has an obligation to ask their invitees to keep to all agreements reached or it makes them just as crooked. It's like two sides agreeing not to bring guns to a meeting. Isn't it the job of the host to make sure that nobody is armed before they come in even though they did not sign any agreements about it? If one side brings a gun then the bouncer at the door should not let him in. A crude analogy but it seems that Albanians can't understand anything else.
But then again, when did it bother Germany to be crooked?

well, not that it is of importance actually, but finally, Germany will certainly know that Serbia is more important to them than this illegal little freak-creation on southern-serbian territory.

so, count this as a little bit of caressing the albanian soul... but not more.

actually, the stupidity behind some of our dear k-albanian friends´ comments here is breathtaking!

but, hey, after all we are talking about Albanians, right?

and one of these stupids just paid with his life for being a thief. this idiots brother got away...and what was his first action? he ran to the "police", oh, excuse me, I mean these other thieves who are playing "police"...

thugs, thieves and cowards. you can be so proud of yourselves...

If Germany agreed to making these notes and breaks their agreement that means they are once again on the wrong path and Serbia has all the rights to protest it any way they want.
(Simot, 18 January 2013 14:12)
That is the point this was an agreement between Serbia and Kosovo for attendance at regional meetings only. Serbia was very quick to deny that this was any agreement for Kosovo to participate in the international meetings outside the region. No other country was party to the agreement.
If you remember when clarification was sought from the EU mediator it was stressed that this was a recommendation to the host countries and they were still free to follow it or not, as they were not part of the dialogue nor parties to the agreement.
So Germany did not agree and would not have considering they are not status neutral, nor would the UK, the US, etc, etc.
If you check the B92 articles from that day you will see this was an agreement between Pristina Belgrade for regional forums. If you read later articles you will find that although Serbia insisted that the full footnote be on the nameplate, the EU determined that the agreement only said that the * was the only thing that had to be on the nameplate, but that host countries were not bound to these rules.

"Or live in a fantasy, that works too. Reason being, its free to dream.
(Ari Gold,"


It took the Arvanitas 18 years for their independence against the Turks.


And in just 4 years most of the world does not recognise Serbia, but Kosovo yes. Especially the parts that Serbs love to live in the most.


Is that a dream or reality?

You know the answer, so might as well call the day a day, and the night a night.

(Diplomaticus, 18 January 2013 16:34)

very well said!

You touched the two most important things in this and other similar stories.

1. Serbian lies: the agreement is bilateral; and is also limited geographically - for regional meetings only.

2. Serbian stupidity to "recommend" to Germany to put the asterisk or otherwise we will not come to Berlin. Completely out of touch with the reality about their place in Europe and international stage.

if it wasn’t tragic it would have been comical. But as you said in the beginning: it is Serbia we are talking about after all.

No country is going to choose serbia over KOSOVO! it's just a simple fact! We have so much support that sometimes it feels too much to handle...lol
(KOSOVO, 18 January 2013 15:14)
========================
Yeah, you are a great asset to everyone.

Please, read the agreement first. Then think twice who agreed what with whom and then come back to make your clever remarks.

Nothing says kosovo is an independent equal to serbia than serbia going to appoint an ambassador soon! LOL same thing with Dacic meeting with thaci month and proclaiming kosovo must have a UN seat. SO dacic can kosovo can have a UN seat but they are going to skip this meeting because kosovo is presented as to independent? No one is doing more for kosovo independence than serbia.

Serbia like any other independent country invited in that meeting is sovereign on deciding whether to attend this meeting or not. However, the excuse that Germany does not recognize the agreement on the footnote brings us to the point where we should ask a simple question on whether this new government knows geography?
The agreement on footnote is applicable to regional meetings. Germany is not Balkans country therefore any meeting like this one has international not regional character where footnote applies.
So to conclude my comment, Borko Stefanovic has confirmed (once agreement has been reached) that Serbia will continue to block Kosovo's participation or membership in all meetings and organizations where Serbia has blocking power, as this agreement is applicable to regional initiatives only.
Why asking Germany to respect the footnote now?

@(Ari Gold, 18 January 2013 15:40)

I do not know who is living in fantasies. Serbia is missing meetings, not Kosovo. :)

But then again, when did it bother Germany to be crooked?
(Peggy, 18 January 2013 23:46)

you are so full of it Peggy, or whatever ur real name is. Your agumentation concerning that question is also not just one-sides, as usual, but also simply wrong. The agreement is concerning regional meetings, and since when is Germany a balkan country?

Your hate towards Germany is obvious, and you don't see that so many Serbian people live in this country without any problems, and feel at home here. The money they send back to Serbia to support their families down there and is a major contribution to the serb economy. IT helps many famalies to simply survive. Don't forget that that Germany is the most important trade partner Serbia has, and without being able to seel serbian products here, the economy would even be worse there.
When it comes to dealing with one's past Germany should be a major example on how to come clean with more than shady parts of one's history, and the serb society should learn from the way we handled our past. I can already hear you screaming again, but face it or not, the world is pinning the war in the Balkans and all the horrible things which happened there on Serbia, just like it justifiably does pin the the holocaust and WWII on Germany. The difference is that we face it in a completly different way, and learn from it, instead of denying it. We are aware of what was done in our name, Serbia is still denying it.

(Peggy, 18 January 2013 23:46)

You are calling Germany a 'crook'. You mean 98 UN states and counting, or %100 of the West (Europe), par Spain, aaand we all know why is that.

well, not that it is of importance actually, but finally, Germany will certainly know that Serbia is more important to them than this illegal little freak-creation on southern-serbian territory.
(Jovan, 19 January 2013 12:03)

Sure, as if Serbia were China and can bully others to do with Kosovo what they did with Taiwan. Serbs' megalomania is actually Kosovo's best asset...

Peggy you analogy is crude and not meant for Albanians it is more along your way of thinking and by the way it is not even close to being accurate. The agreement in question was not even meant for use in Germany or other countries in the EU, it was for regional meetings only, if you review you will see Serbia's insistance on that as their opinion was that Kosovo should not be represented at any international meetings other than regional.
Therefore it is Serbia that is out of line for insisting anything to Germany. Since Germany has recognized and places Kosovo and Serbia at equal footing it is only natural that they would not cater to Serbia's demands, no more than should Italy want Serbia to appear with an * and a footnote. In your opinion Serbia and Kosovo are not equal, but in Germany the host nations eyes they are. So Serbia staying home and missing out on the opportunities to present its views and interests that is up to Serbia but Germany and Kosovo have no responsibility in that.

"If Germany agreed to making these notes and breaks their agreement that means they are once again on the wrong path and Serbia has all the rights to protest it any way they want."

Maybe, but who cares? Serbia's not really in a very powerfull position to say the least...

If that's the case you would have gotten instant recognition upon your deceleration (like real countries do) and would have been in the UN for 4 years now.

Or live in a fantasy, that works too. Reason being, its free to dream.
(Ari Gold, 18 January 2013 15:40)

Let's say Kosovo is not a real country (I'm still waiting for somebody to explain what's the definition of a "real country" in English) and let's go even further a say that Kosovo is a black hole, a Serbian province, a Serbian town, the hell of Earth, etc, etc, etc... I'm fine, dear, with whatever label you come up with...

But none of the labels changes the fact that Kosovo is independent from Serbia :)

The difference is that we face it in a completly different way, and learn from it, instead of denying it. We are aware of what was done in our name, Serbia is still denying it.
(Willi Pfaff, 19 January 2013 10:55)
============================
Willi, or whatever your Albanian name is,
I don't have hatred for Germany but my eyes are wide open to the crooked ways the German government is practicing. Germany has always and will always have dreams of conquering Europe. The first couple of times was a failure because they tried to use force, but not this time. They have learned to use their economy.

Serbs are not denying anything but they will not take on more than they did.
They have sent everyone Hague has asked for so what more do you want when it comes to facing your deeds?
Tadic has also made an apology which none of the other sides have so maybe that speech should be aimed at them.