“Kosovo strategy not EU document”

Italian Ambassador in Pristina Michael Giffoni said that the strategy for northern Kosovo, supported by Pieter Feith, cannot be presented as an EU document. Giffoni, who is also the EU envoy for northern Kosovo, said that all 27 member-states of the EU show "absolute unanimity when it comes to the European perspective of Serbia and Kosovo, and regional cooperation is a principle that must be respected throughout all countries of the region", writes Belgrade daily Blic. “Kosovo strategy not EU document” “All EU member-states supported my informal role as the envoy or mediator for the north of Kosovo, and it is based on promoting the values and goals of the rule of law, security, social-economic security, and responsibility for the rule of law, which the EU wants to see in Kosovo,” he said. With the opening of the European House next week, EULEX and the European Commission are creating conditions in northern Kosovska Mitrovica for improving the credibility of the European Union, for the realization of projects related to improving living conditions for the people who live there, Giffoni said. He said that he will "start from the foundation and work up, unlike what the top of the government had been doing". The Italian diplomat said that regardless of the divided stances on Kosovo’s status, the EU is united in the European perspective of the entire region, adding that a blockade the process of the process through bilateral discussions and disputes "is not possible". Giffoni said that "Kosovo has a European perspective" and that Serbia "cannot cause problems by stressing the problems regarding the status of one part of the territory" "This is our clear stance," said he. The so-called integration strategy for northern, Serb parts of Kosovo has been introduced by the Kosovo Albanian government in Pristina and the head of the ICO, Pieter Feith. In his other role in the province, Feith is also the EU special representative. Both Belgrade and local Serbs in the north have rejected the strategy, aimed at bringing the northern municipalities under Pristina's control.

“Kosovo strategy not EU document”

“All EU member-states supported my informal role as the envoy or mediator for the north of Kosovo, and it is based on promoting the values and goals of the rule of law, security, social-economic security, and responsibility for the rule of law, which the EU wants to see in Kosovo,” he said.

With the opening of the European House next week, EULEX and the European Commission are creating conditions in northern Kosovska Mitrovica for improving the credibility of the European Union, for the realization of projects related to improving living conditions for the people who live there, Giffoni said.

He said that he will "start from the foundation and work up, unlike what the top of the government had been doing".

The Italian diplomat said that regardless of the divided stances on Kosovo’s status, the EU is united in the European perspective of the entire region, adding that a blockade the process of the process through bilateral discussions and disputes "is not possible".

Giffoni said that "Kosovo has a European perspective" and that Serbia "cannot cause problems by stressing the problems regarding the status of one part of the territory"

"This is our clear stance," said he.

The so-called integration strategy for northern, Serb parts of Kosovo has been introduced by the Kosovo Albanian government in Priština and the head of the ICO, Pieter Feith. In his other role in the province, Feith is also the EU special representative.

Both Belgrade and local Serbs in the north have rejected the strategy, aimed at bringing the northern municipalities under Priština's control.