A short public letter to fellow journalists, civil society, and politicians in Serbia

In our rocky Balkans, there is an ominous saying that every third generation is doomed to war. Twenty-four years have passed since the end of our last war. I think we need to ask a fundamental question: are we really ready to go through the same tragedy every 40 years? Are we really ready to pass this curse on to our children and grandchildren?

The Albanians and Serbs are the Germans and French of the Balkans. We have the same destructive potential, but also the creative and working potential to build a mini-Europe in the Balkans. I think it's time to discard the former and fully embrace the latter. We really are at the end of the road.

Personally, I was an ardent supporter and soldier of the idea of border correction, because I saw it as a path to the realization of my dream, the unification of all Albanians in one state. I want to be very honest. I liked the idea and was committed to it, even though I knew full well that the border correction would have a domino effect all over the region. As an Albanian nationalist, I was interested in Albania and Albanians, regardless of what would happen to Macedonia, Montenegro, or Bosnia. If the price for a larger Albania would be the creation of a larger Serbia, that was completely acceptable to me.

Now, several years later, I understand that this project failed miserably, because the major Western powers have persistently defended, and will continue to defend, their investments in the creation and stabilization of Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia, and Kosovo. And, along the way, they will trample anyone who gets in their way. The fate of my friend Hashim Thaci is the best proof of that.

Now we have before us the so-called European proposal. The "Albanian Post" had the honor of being a sort of official newspaper of the entire process. Time has shown that all of our essential reporting (the content of the plan, the implementation of the Community, the February deadline, the stick, and the carrot), despite the initial denials, turned out to be completely correct.

Personally, I do not like this project at all, but, from my position, I know very well that for both Kosovo and Serbia, not accepting the agreement is much worse than accepting it. If we reject the agreement and continue with the absurd projections of our nationalistic desires, turning them into official policy, not only will the West condemn us to humiliation and submission, but there is a great danger that we will end up in war. But not like the last one. It would be much bloodier, even if it only lasted three days. And then the great powers would decide for us, without asking us at all.

According to the latest document published by the "Albanian Post", written by a very high official of a large western country, a new Yalta is quite possible. And in that new Yalta, we, the Albanians and Serbs, Kosovo and Serbia, will not be asked at all. Not only will they not call us, but we will have no right to ask for any benefits.

This agreement does not satisfy our appetites, it goes against everything that Albanian or Serbian nationalists, including myself, would like. But this agreement brings normality and cooperation, it brings peace. And above all, its acceptance by Kosovo and Serbia obliges the West to take more care of us.

Personally, I don't trust leaders like Albin Kurti. My friend Edi Rama really has a big ego, but Albin Kurti goes even further. Sometimes I suspect that he completely lacks the empathy to understand the consequences of his actions. As an ordinary citizen, I was and continue to be against Albin Kurti, but because of the signing of this agreement, I will never condemn him and I will always protect him.

If Albin Kurti becomes the reason that my grandsons and granddaughters do not inherit the Balkan curses, I will support him in everything. Please, for the sake of your grandchildren, help Aleksandar Vucic to do the same.

For the first time in history, let us decide our own destiny, our own peace. Let's not let someone else completely shut us out of decision-making tomorrow.

Written by: Baton Haxhiu, journalist and director of the Albanian Post