Lekaj: The CSM is an obligation of Kosovo; a dialogue with the Serbs is necessary

The vice-president of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo, Pal Lekaj, said that it was Kosovo's obligation to form the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities and added that it was important for the Kosovo government to start a dialogue with the Serbs from Kosovo, Nacionale reports.

Lekaj pointed out that the only ability of Albin Kurti's government was to create crises and added that Kurti was more focused on creating crises than solving problems.

According to him, the Government should start an intensive dialogue with the local Serbs to return them to the institutions of Kosovo.

"With the latest actions, the Government has weakened the position of Kosovo in the talks for the normalization of relations with Serbia," Lekaj said in an interview for Nacionale.

A month has passed since the Serbs left the institutions, and the government does not show any strategy for their reintegration. How do you evaluate this behavior of the authorities?

Reckless and uncoordinated actions of the authorities brought the situation in the north of the country to the same as before the declaration of independence. Only this government has the ability to create crises in the country and it has successfully achieved this through its actions in the north. In the end, although no success was achieved, the situation was brought back to square one.

What should the Government of Kosovo do for their return to the institutions?

The government should first be cautious in any action and coordinate with our friends, especially the US. Last but not least, the Government should start an intensive dialogue with the local Serbs, to return them to the institutions of Kosovo and to restore mutual trust.

What is the risk that the return of Serbs to the institutions becomes part of the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue?

Through his actions, Kurti damaged the position in the dialogue with Serbia. When he first went to Brussels to talk to Vucic, he said he would discuss a final deal, but ended up talking about technical issues like license plates. It is not surprising that Kurti and the demagogues are bringing the North back into the dialogue.

It has often been said that with the tension of the situation there, there is a risk that this part will move towards autonomy. What is the risk of this happening?

I don't want to believe that Kurti, in order to escape from the formation of the CSM, can make any other consensus, to say that he did not allow the formation of the CSM. For ABK, this issue is neither discussed nor worth mentioning.

In the license plate agreement, according to the EU, the government agreed to the establishment of CSM. What should be the approach of the government in discussions on this topic?

The creation of the CSM is an obligation that Kosovo must fulfill. Formation should take place only based on the decision of the Constitutional Court. Any other variant will be opposed by ABK.

The management of ABK has seen the EU's proposal for a comprehensive agreement between them. What should the government do to make this agreement beneficial to Kosovo?

The agreement cannot be called a "recognition agreement", it can be called a "normalization agreement", but recognition is also included in its content. I believe that Kosovo should be constructive in this matter, especially in full coordination with our allies, the US; because of course this proposal also has its stamp.

Given the behavior of the prime minister, how much do you believe Kurti will reach a final agreement with Serbia?

His behavior and actions are dangerous. I doubt the prime minister's willingness to improve important processes for the country. Kurti is more focused on creating crises in the country than on providing solutions.