Cupi: CSM is an important item of the agreement; Kurti has old concepts

In an exclusive interview for Kosovo Online, the well-known Albanian writer, journalist, political analyst, and former director of the Albanian national news agency ATA Frrok Cupi assesses that politicians from Kosovo are more interested in living through conflicts than solving problems in a civilized manner.

Cupi said that positive initiatives solved problems, but that those coming from Belgrade should also be supported.

"The problems of the north of Kosovo are, I believe, solvable. The West got involved, and the US and Europe have very intensive participation, very seriously. The question, I believe, within the framework of the new century, the century in which we live, has no weight; it is an artificial question, strained. I have the impression that many politicians, especially in Kosovo, which is not good, are interested in living through conflicts, rather than trying to solve the problems of governance in ways that can serve civilization. I think that several steps have been taken with the support of the EU and the US, and I think that the US is determined to resolve the issue in accordance with the agreements that have existed so far," Cupi said.

According to Cupi, the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities was a European model and an important point of the agreements reached between Kosovo and Serbia, which, he added, had to be respected.

"I don't like that Kurti's government or Kurti himself still have old concepts regarding state relations. In the meantime, I see the anti-American position as the attitude of a part of the politicians in Tirana and Pristina, which is to the detriment not only of the citizens of Kosovo but also to the detriment of the region. I believe that positive initiatives to solve the issue, such as those coming from Belgrade, should be supported by all means. I believe that the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities in Kosovo is an important point of the agreements that have been reached to date and that must be respected. Otherwise, you can't build a state and an alliance. That's how cooperation can be improved and the Balkans can be improved. If we move differently and come back again because we regret it, then we're not going anywhere," Cupi assesses.

Speaking about the "Open Balkan" initiative, Cupi says that he supports and accepts every initiative that has the prefix "open" - open heart, mind, open countries, region. According to him, Serbia and Albania are in a time of mutual respect, and this, according to Cupi, precisely the "Open Balkan", is a part of that new culture.

"For me, the Open Balkan is a wonderful initiative of the new Europe, the Europe that is coming, the membership of the participants of our region in Europe. At the same time, I see that the Open Balkan has started to give results. And are we so open to each other; are we so honest to each other; are we so receptive to each other, do we want to visit each other," Cupi asked.

Cupi emphasized that this was how it should be, that people travel freely, speak freely, and resolve conflicts that might arise.

"Like the one in the north of Kosovo, let's solve it in a very elegant way. For example, the initiative, the position of the president of Serbia, regarding the problem of the north of Kosovo, was the most open, the clearest position, and beyond the small interests of ethnic nationalists. In addition, as happened with Tirana, which is an important center of stability in the region, so there should be cooperation, and we should visit each other. The President of Albania and the Prime Minister of Albania see Belgrade as a good neighbor, as is the case with the President of Serbia. So we move freely, we think freely and cooperate freely and that is the Open Balkan," Cupi concluded.