“Creative solution” needed for Kosovo

EP Rapporteur for Kosovo Joost Lagendijk says that “a creative diplomatic solution” is needed to mend relations between Serbia and Kosovo.

Izvor: Beta

Thursday, 05.02.2009.

13:00

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EP Rapporteur for Kosovo Joost Lagendijk says that “a creative diplomatic solution” is needed to mend relations between Serbia and Kosovo. He said that a good example of a creative solution were those found by East and West Germany and Ireland and Northern Ireland. “Creative solution” needed for Kosovo “It is not realistic to expect Serbia to recognize Kosovo any time soon, but Serbia, Kosovo and the EU should not be wasting time in integrating Belgrade and Pristina into the EU,” Lagendijk said. “We must look for a creative diplomatic solution which would not hurt anyone, and would work to everyone’s benefit,” he told daily Dnevnik. Lagendijk said that in order for both Serbia and Kosovo to enter the EU, they must find a formula that will enable them to realize their goal. “The idea of a solution according to the principle of two Germanys, where, despite not recognizing one another, the two sides committed not to interfere with the international activities of the other, could be the basis for an agreement for the two sides that would be rubber-stamped by the EU,” Lagendijk said. He added that another good example would be Ireland, and how it settled the issue of Northern Ireland in its first Constitution, adding that the solution had proven viable, since both Ireland and the U.K. were in the EU. Lagendijk said that a partition of Kosovo “is far from reality,” since such a move could spark a chain reaction in the region, in Serbia itself, Bosnia and Macedonia.” He said that the EU would be in Kosovo “for years, many even longer than a decade,” because establishing the rule of law required a lot of time. The rapporteur said that he did not agree with the Dutch stance that Ratko Mladic must be extradited to The Hague in order for Serbia to continue its European integration. He said that in the event of Hague Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz reporting that Serbia was completely cooperating with the Tribunal in spite of not arresting Mladic, the Dutch government should tell its MPs to “be practical, not stubborn.”

“Creative solution” needed for Kosovo

“It is not realistic to expect Serbia to recognize Kosovo any time soon, but Serbia, Kosovo and the EU should not be wasting time in integrating Belgrade and Priština into the EU,” Lagendijk said.

“We must look for a creative diplomatic solution which would not hurt anyone, and would work to everyone’s benefit,” he told daily Dnevnik.

Lagendijk said that in order for both Serbia and Kosovo to enter the EU, they must find a formula that will enable them to realize their goal.

“The idea of a solution according to the principle of two Germanys, where, despite not recognizing one another, the two sides committed not to interfere with the international activities of the other, could be the basis for an agreement for the two sides that would be rubber-stamped by the EU,” Lagendijk said.

He added that another good example would be Ireland, and how it settled the issue of Northern Ireland in its first Constitution, adding that the solution had proven viable, since both Ireland and the U.K. were in the EU.

Lagendijk said that a partition of Kosovo “is far from reality,” since such a move could spark a chain reaction in the region, in Serbia itself, Bosnia and Macedonia.”

He said that the EU would be in Kosovo “for years, many even longer than a decade,” because establishing the rule of law required a lot of time.

The rapporteur said that he did not agree with the Dutch stance that Ratko Mladić must be extradited to The Hague in order for Serbia to continue its European integration.

He said that in the event of Hague Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz reporting that Serbia was completely cooperating with the Tribunal in spite of not arresting Mladić, the Dutch government should tell its MPs to “be practical, not stubborn.”

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