ICG: Serbia should be given candidate status

The International Crisis Group (ICG) has noted a little goodwill could go a long way in solving problems in Kosovo. The ICG also called on the governments of Germany, the Netherlands and Great Britain to support granting candidate status for EU membership to Serbia in March. ICG: Serbia should be given candidate status “Support the granting of EU candidate status to Serbia in March 2012, provided it has met the conditions, such as regional representation of Kosovo, implementing the agreement on integrated management of crossing points and removing barricades in northern Kosovo,” said the ICG. The latest report by the ICG says that the dispute about Kosovo’s sovereignty continues to fuel tensions and violent clashes in northern Kosovo, halting Belgrade and Pristina’s fragile dialogue and putting at risk Serbia’s EU candidacy. Crisis Group's Balkans Project Director Marko Prelec said that Serbs in the north rejected the Kosovo customs officials and border police and blocked EULEX, fearing their deployment was the beginning of the end to their way of life in the north and abolishment of their institutions. “They need to be respected as parties to the conflict, and it is wrong to assume that Belgrade can force them into compliance,” Prelec noted. The current conflict is so difficult to resolve and likely to be drawn out because it is not a technical dispute about customs, but it is over sovereignty, the ICG believes. According to the ICG, all sides should seek ways to minimize the risk of further conflict, while focusing on implementing what has been agreed in the bilateral technical dialogue, facilitated by the EU. Tanjug

ICG: Serbia should be given candidate status

“Support the granting of EU candidate status to Serbia in March 2012, provided it has met the conditions, such as regional representation of Kosovo, implementing the agreement on integrated management of crossing points and removing barricades in northern Kosovo,” said the ICG.

The latest report by the ICG says that the dispute about Kosovo’s sovereignty continues to fuel tensions and violent clashes in northern Kosovo, halting Belgrade and Priština’s fragile dialogue and putting at risk Serbia’s EU candidacy.

Crisis Group's Balkans Project Director Marko Prelec said that Serbs in the north rejected the Kosovo customs officials and border police and blocked EULEX, fearing their deployment was the beginning of the end to their way of life in the north and abolishment of their institutions.

“They need to be respected as parties to the conflict, and it is wrong to assume that Belgrade can force them into compliance,” Prelec noted.

The current conflict is so difficult to resolve and likely to be drawn out because it is not a technical dispute about customs, but it is over sovereignty, the ICG believes.

According to the ICG, all sides should seek ways to minimize the risk of further conflict, while focusing on implementing what has been agreed in the bilateral technical dialogue, facilitated by the EU.