Ambassador Dusan T. Batakovic: Kosovo will not become independent

KiM-Info Newsletter 24-07-05

Blic daily, Belgrade, July 20, 2005

We cannot accept any solution in regard to Kosovo and Metohija does not take Serbia's interests into account, and that means that any form of independence for the province is unacceptable, ambassador Dusan T. Batakovic said in an interview for "Blic". Batakovic, who served four years as Serbia-Montenegro's ambassador in Athens, is now a foreign policy advisor to president Boris Tadic, and the head of Tadic's team dedicated to resolving problems in Kosovo and Metohija.

"My mandate in Greece was a highly significant, I would even say exceptionally useful diplomatic experience, especially in the domain of systematic following of the Balkan dimensions of our policy. Greece is the best observation point for understanding the regional implications of individual unresolved issues. After recently being appointed ambassador in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I can now act on a considerably broader diplomatic plan, in the capacity of official advisor to president Boris Tadic, and Kosovo will be dominating our political scene at least in the next year. First, I will establish coordination of efforts among all the members of the presidential team, and then I will work on harmonizing joint steps with other appropriate state institutions because only unison in our efforts can ensure the expected result. With the help of the Coordinating Center for Kosovo and Metohija, we will prepare a special file on everything that is relevant for talks with representatives of the international community, and then begin formulating short- and long-term strategies for resolving this most difficult of Balkan issues."

It appears that negotiations on the future status of Kosovo and Metohija will begin in September or October. Does that mean that Kai Eide will give a positive assessment on the fulfillment of standards?

"We expect that Kai Eide, who is quite familiar with the situation in the province, will give an objective assessment of the situation on the ground and a realistically evaluate the degree on (non-)fulfillment of defined standards. What is important are Eide's recommendations for the next phase of the process that will inevitably follow, that is, whether negotiations on status will begin immediately or whether they will be preceded by a time delimited intermediate phase during which critical steps forward will be made in resolving two essential problems: the problem of sustainable returns for displaced persons and functional implementation of decentralization for old and new Serbian municipalities according to the joint plan of the Serbian Presidency and Government. These are the vital elements which make it possible for the Serbian community to survive and create the possibility for Belgrade to actively and responsibly participate in the negotiating process when the time is right. Therefore, preconditions are mandatory and we will insist on them with determination."

What can our country hope for in those negotiations?

"It is a fact that the future status of the province does not depend solely on Belgrade and Pristina and that the international community will also have enormous significance in its final shaping. However, we cannot accept any solution in regard to Kosovo and Metohija does not take Serbia's interests into account, and that means that any form of independence for the province is unacceptable. When we say this, we are also taking into consideration the serious regional consequences of such a solution. The sum of the arguments against any form of independence is extremely convincing and very concerning over the long term. We expect, then, that all elements will be taken into consideration ranging from security to politics, and first and foremost, the general legal framework, which points to an inevitable dramatic deterioration in security in the event of an attempt to unilaterally change the existing borders in the western Balkans.

"On the other hand, we are open to direct negotiations with Pristina regarding all unresolved issues, in which the issue of return of displaced persons and decentralization, taken together represent our absolute priority while the status issue is only at the end of a long chain of unresolved problems, among which I would also mention the burning issues of security, freedom of movement, and mass usurpation of private and state-owned property. These, then, are the basic problems that need to be resolved and positive outcomes in these areas will open the necessary space for upcoming status negotiations. Without concessions on both sides, there will be no expected progress. The future of Kosovo and Metohija, however, is connected to the fate of Serbia and further attempts at division would send this whole region back into the dynamic of unpredictable conflict and long-term chaos. For that very reason, in order to have a peaceful, mutually acceptable and long-term harmonized solution, intensive work is necessary on the gradual solution of unresolved issues. To have this, dialogue is necessary. Therefore, we expect that the Albanian side in the province will come to understand that without Belgrade there is no solution and that it will seriously accept direct negotiations."

How do you interpret statements according to which Serbia will have to renounce Kosovo and Metohija as a condition for entry into the EU?

"I see no direct connection between Serbia-Montenegro's joining the European Union and resolving the status of the province. Europe is our common future, and splitting up Serbia and the province would undoubtedly slow the process of Euro-Atlantic integration. An auxiliary, alternative mechanism to joining the Union already exists for Kosovo and Metohija which foresees the somewhat slower integration of the province, and I do not see strong arguments for Kosovo's road to Brussels unfolding without Belgrade. Serbia has vital interests in Kosovo and Metohija: I would like to note that 70 percent of Serbia's mineral resources are located there and our participation in their use is legitimate just as it is legitimate that decisions affecting the province are harmonized with Belgrade. Arguments that Kosovo Albanians, traumatized by the recent past, cannot imagine any sort of ties with Serbia have already been practically derailed by the numerous, unofficial ties on the economic plan. When the Albanians overcome the present imposed limitations, which I would say are imposed through official channels, that they must avoid any ties with Serbia, we can expect certain steps forward in the reduction of interethnic tensions."

By Ljiljana Begenisic (Translated by sib on July 22, 2005)