No pitfall in footnote, says Belgrade negotiator

The deal on Kosovo's regional representation secured Serbia EU candidature, but its content is being "interpreted in various ways", writes a daily. Belgrade newspaper Vecernje Novosti focused on the last point of the agreement, which says that solutions contained in it were adopted "on an interim basis". No pitfall in footnote, says Belgrade negotiator But Borislav Stefanovic, who negotiated the agreement on behalf of the Serbian government, said it contained "no pitfalls, but on the contrary, protects Serbia's state interests". The daily reports that there is now speculation that the footnote that Pristina will be represented with in regional gatherings "will melt like a snowflake by spring". The assertion was a statement made by Stefanovic's Kosovo Albanian counterpart Edita Tahiri. "This formulation additionally points out that this is not a true interstate agreement but simply a deal between two sides on an issue. Also, it creates room to perhaps find a better solution in the future, of course, with the consent of both sides," said the negotiator. He also expressed his belief that "possible unilateral steps by Pristina to remove the footnote cannot pass", because "Brussels (EU) will inform all regional organizations that representatives of Kosovo must take part only according to the agreed formula". "In any case, the government will confirm the agreement in one of its coming sessions, and most likely also adopt instructions for our delegations on how to behave in case Pristina causes incidents," said Stefanovic. The newspaper also spoke to Ministry for Kosovo State Secretary Oliver Ivanovic who was optimistic that Pristina would not make any radical moves: "We, of course, can't prevent them. But Brussels has made it clear to the Kosovo authorities that such political flippancy would jeopardize EU donations, which make up for a sizable portion of the Kosovo budget." The Kosovo Albanian authorities are not announcing their future moves, but "messages have already been sent from Pristina", writes the daily, that they will ask that the agreement on regional representation, reached last week during EU-sponsored talks, also be used to represent Kosovo in international organizations. But Stefanovic said such a thing was "out of the question". "Kosovo's membership in international organizations would mean that Serbia recognized its statehood, and that will not happen," said he. Meanwhile, the daily reported that it heard from diplomatic sources in Brussels that "the most powerful EU countries, led by Germany, could use the agreement to pressure the five member-states that have not done so to recognize Kosovo". Ethnic Albanians in Kosovo unilaterally declared independence four years ago. Serbia rejects the proclamation. Borislav Stefanovic (file) Vecernje novosti

No pitfall in footnote, says Belgrade negotiator

But Borislav Stefanović, who negotiated the agreement on behalf of the Serbian government, said it contained "no pitfalls, but on the contrary, protects Serbia's state interests".

The daily reports that there is now speculation that the footnote that Priština will be represented with in regional gatherings "will melt like a snowflake by spring". The assertion was a statement made by Stefanović's Kosovo Albanian counterpart Edita Tahiri.

"This formulation additionally points out that this is not a true interstate agreement but simply a deal between two sides on an issue. Also, it creates room to perhaps find a better solution in the future, of course, with the consent of both sides," said the negotiator.

He also expressed his belief that "possible unilateral steps by Priština to remove the footnote cannot pass", because "Brussels (EU) will inform all regional organizations that representatives of Kosovo must take part only according to the agreed formula".

"In any case, the government will confirm the agreement in one of its coming sessions, and most likely also adopt instructions for our delegations on how to behave in case Priština causes incidents," said Stefanović.

The newspaper also spoke to Ministry for Kosovo State Secretary Oliver Ivanović who was optimistic that Priština would not make any radical moves:

"We, of course, can't prevent them. But Brussels has made it clear to the Kosovo authorities that such political flippancy would jeopardize EU donations, which make up for a sizable portion of the Kosovo budget."

The Kosovo Albanian authorities are not announcing their future moves, but "messages have already been sent from Priština", writes the daily, that they will ask that the agreement on regional representation, reached last week during EU-sponsored talks, also be used to represent Kosovo in international organizations.

But Stefanović said such a thing was "out of the question".

"Kosovo's membership in international organizations would mean that Serbia recognized its statehood, and that will not happen," said he.

Meanwhile, the daily reported that it heard from diplomatic sources in Brussels that "the most powerful EU countries, led by Germany, could use the agreement to pressure the five member-states that have not done so to recognize Kosovo".

Ethnic Albanians in Kosovo unilaterally declared independence four years ago. Serbia rejects the proclamation.