Barac: The removal of Kosovo's request from the CoE agenda is a message that Serbian diplomacy is working well

Srdjan Barac from the Center for Social Stability stated that the removal of Kosovo's request from the agenda of the Political Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) is a message that Serbian diplomacy is performing well. He also sees it as a serious message to the political elites in Kosovo that their actions in the past period have not gone "under the radar."

"This is a message that we have successfully communicated an important topic – what is happening with human rights in Kosovo and Metohija, what is happening with the rule of law in Kosovo and Metohija – considering that this very organization was established to protect human rights, uphold the rule of law, and safeguard democracy. I believe this is a serious message to the political elites in Kosovo and Metohija that their past actions have not gone unnoticed and that they have not been obscured by their long-promoted political narrative of 'liberation.' Under the guise of this so-called liberation, they have violated all rights and fundamental values on which not only these states but also the political parties of the representatives in PACE are founded," Barac said.

He also described the decision as a positive signal from Europe, recalling that international organizations were created after World War II as platforms for dialogue – to discuss everything that can be discussed while setting aside issues that cannot.

He emphasized that the current geopolitical landscape is shifting, with key global dynamics changing.

"For example, I would say that after the Trump-Zelensky meeting, the Sinatra Doctrine has now been completely and openly suspended. We are returning to concepts of limited sovereignty, to the Brezhnev Doctrine, where great powers are no longer attentive to the needs of small nations. They no longer believe in the idea that everyone can go their own way – hence the humorous reference to the Sinatra Doctrine, named after the song ‘My Way.’ The idea that every region knows what is best for itself is fading, and we are instead seeing a return to the notion that the great powers decide everything based on their own interests," Barac stated.

He stressed that continuous effort is needed to maintain this diplomatic position in the international community.

"We certainly cannot be complacent, because an idea to change the situation could arise overnight. That is why we must work daily to uphold this image in the international community, particularly with key players. The global stage is vast, and we are small countries on that large board. As small nations, we must insist on respect for international law, human rights, minority rights, democracy, and, above all, the rule of law. Considering all this, we must emphasize that in Kosovo and Metohija, none of these principles are being respected, and we seek support from the major global players," Barac concluded.