"Changes cannot happen overnight"

BELGRADE The Brussels agreement implementation cannot bring an overnight change, says Ivan Vejvoda, vice president of the German Marshall Fund. "The mental map should be changed. The implementation of the Brussels agreement cannot happen overnight and suddenly, (so) that people would be saying all of a sudden: that's wonderful that the agreement has been implemented," said Vejvoda. "Changes cannot happen overnight" Vejvoda added that "now order, customs, laws, and VAT" should be established in Kosovo, and "bring down double and triple salaries, and that is the most difficult because there are many whom it doesn't suit." "There are around 45,000 people living in the north. It is done so that these people receive certainty, that they feel the hand of law, that they are not influenced by a variety of forces, interests of international powers or crime. It is clear that many of these people are scared. And they do not know how to behave, whether to vote or not. And here because of the legacy where there was no rule of law, it is difficult to tell these people everything will be fine, just go to the polls. The implementation of the Brussels agreement should bring them security," said Vejvoda. He then stated that "there must be a constant presence of the Belgrade authorities in Kosovo, and constant persuasion so that people would not be left only to evaluate some important issues, but would always have the support." Vejvoda added that Serbs in Kosovo should turn out and vote. "There is an enormous effort put into these negotiations... maybe some do not realize how much effort was needed. It is important that NATO is the guarantor of the agreement. The framework of security is on the table, for the Serbs in Kosovo as well. They need to know that these are not just empty words. They need to feel it," said Vejvoda. The turnout in elections "is the maximum that can be drawn from the minimum," he said, and added that he believes that chance will be used. Vejvoda noted that Brussels can demonstrate that its soft power succeeds, and that it does not want to be the unsuccessful party in the process. Vejvoda added that EU member states continue to see enlargement as a strategic objective. "The situation in Europe is such that everyone looks to their domestic affairs. The aim is to face the unemployment, and how to solve that problem, that is the greatest in our society. And that can only be done through investments," said Vejvoda. He also stated it was good that domestic experts supported the new economic measures of the government. Vejvoda, who has just returned from Tirana, said that the visit of the Albanian prime minister and his government to Belgrade has been announced, and that it will be significant because the last such visit happened in 1946. "Good relations between Belgrade and Tirana are essential for the further stabilization of the region," said Vejvoda. (B92) B92

"Changes cannot happen overnight"

Vejvoda added that "now order, customs, laws, and VAT" should be established in Kosovo, and "bring down double and triple salaries, and that is the most difficult because there are many whom it doesn't suit."

"There are around 45,000 people living in the north. It is done so that these people receive certainty, that they feel the hand of law, that they are not influenced by a variety of forces, interests of international powers or crime. It is clear that many of these people are scared. And they do not know how to behave, whether to vote or not. And here because of the legacy where there was no rule of law, it is difficult to tell these people everything will be fine, just go to the polls. The implementation of the Brussels agreement should bring them security," said Vejvoda.

He then stated that "there must be a constant presence of the Belgrade authorities in Kosovo, and constant persuasion so that people would not be left only to evaluate some important issues, but would always have the support." Vejvoda added that Serbs in Kosovo should turn out and vote.

"There is an enormous effort put into these negotiations... maybe some do not realize how much effort was needed. It is important that NATO is the guarantor of the agreement. The framework of security is on the table, for the Serbs in Kosovo as well. They need to know that these are not just empty words. They need to feel it," said Vejvoda.

The turnout in elections "is the maximum that can be drawn from the minimum," he said, and added that he believes that chance will be used.

Vejvoda noted that Brussels can demonstrate that its soft power succeeds, and that it does not want to be the unsuccessful party in the process. Vejvoda added that EU member states continue to see enlargement as a strategic objective.

"The situation in Europe is such that everyone looks to their domestic affairs. The aim is to face the unemployment, and how to solve that problem, that is the greatest in our society. And that can only be done through investments," said Vejvoda.

He also stated it was good that domestic experts supported the new economic measures of the government.

Vejvoda, who has just returned from Tirana, said that the visit of the Albanian prime minister and his government to Belgrade has been announced, and that it will be significant because the last such visit happened in 1946.

"Good relations between Belgrade and Tirana are essential for the further stabilization of the region," said Vejvoda.