Analysts: Kosovo cannot avoid the CSM

Experts in political matters point out that the Progress Report published by the European Commission clearly emphasizes the obligations that Kosovo must fulfill within the framework of agreements reached with Serbia and that there is no way it can avoid the formation of the Community of Serb Municipalities (CSM), reports Ekonomia Online.

University professor Dritero Arifi explains that the EU sets the rules for countries that want to join, while candidate countries must accept those rules.

He points out that after the parliamentary elections on February 9, whoever becomes the prime minister of Kosovo will be obligated to implement the agreed-upon agreements.

"We need to understand that the country's report prepared by the European Commission is distributed to all EU member states, and everyone is informed about what is happening, who is doing what, and somehow everything written in the report is Kosovo's responsibility in relation to the EU. Therefore, it seems that the country faces enormous challenges that need to be addressed to improve in the political aspect. It is well-known what Kosovo needs to do, what Serbia needs to do, and so on," Arifi emphasized.

He believes that the EU's suggestions are clear, and it is up to Kosovo to decide whether it will continue its path toward the EU or not.

He states that the implementation of the Brussels and Ohrid Agreements is a condition set by the EU for Kosovo’s progress on the European path, adding that any government claiming otherwise is attempting to manipulate and deceive citizens.

"After February 9, whoever is in power must implement this agreement," he said.

Arifi suggests that more effort is needed to form the CSM, as the Kosovo government has already accepted the European draft of the statute.

"Kosovo’s obligations are Kosovo's obligations, and it is natural that the draft statute is sent to the Constitutional Court. I think a social consensus is needed on the issue of its formation. The government cannot do this alone; broader societal involvement is required for it to be accepted as an obligation, and the Kosovo government has already accepted it," he said.

Political analyst Afrim Kasoli emphasizes that the Progress Report highlights that the agreements are binding for both sides and that Kosovo needs to take the first step in implementing them by initiating the procedures for forming the CSM.

He notes that the Kosovo government is devising various ways to avoid this obligation, which he believes is not good for Kosovo’s European future, given that the EU will not abandon the CSM.

He recalled that sending the draft statute of the CSM to the Constitutional Court was a condition for Kosovo's membership in the Council of Europe.

"Two things are clear: the agreement is binding, and Kosovo’s justifications have not been accepted by the European Union. Kosovo is obligated to begin its implementation and to show concrete steps and progress in the direction of implementing the agreement. As for the draft statute, it has already been stated that this issue is closed. Further discussions are not allowed. It is the duty of Kosovo’s institutions to send the draft CSM statute to the Constitutional Court, and discussions and negotiations on other versions of this draft statute are closed," Kasoli stated.

Kasoli added that Kosovo cannot condition the implementation of the agreement based on Serbia's actions, as the EU’s rewards or penalties will be decided based on the individual fulfillment of obligations.

"Without fulfilling these prerequisites, as clearly stated in this report, the European integration agenda cannot be successful. The report also clearly states that both countries will be assessed based on how each fulfills its obligations arising from these two agreements. Kosovo is evaluated separately, and Kosovo cannot justify its actions by claiming that Serbia is not implementing the agreement," Kasoli concluded.