Gerxhaliu: A comical triangle of distrust between Serbia, Kosovo, and the EU

The former president of the Kosovo Chamber of Commerce, Safet Gerxhaliu, stated that the Growth Plan is the EU's attempt to support the Western Balkans at a time when the region is increasingly returning to the dynamics of the 1990s, but that a "comical triangle" of distrust still exists between Serbia, Kosovo, and the EU.

"I think it is time for a new spirit to take hold in the Western Balkans. Because if we look at what is happening here, we are increasingly returning to the 1990s, to a time of nationalism, a time of intolerance. In that context, Europe is trying to offer support. But there is a big problem when it comes to Kosovo, Serbia, and the EU. It is a comical triangle. Kosovo doesn’t trust either Serbia or Europe, Serbia doesn’t trust either Kosovo or Europe, and Europe doesn’t trust either Serbia or Kosovo. Therefore, it is hard to reach a compromise, but compromise is the solution, there is no alternative. Especially now when so much is happening in the world on a geostrategic level," Gerxhaliu explained for Kosovo Online.

He explained that the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans is a turning point in EU policy.

"They have simply realized that in the Western Balkans, they shouldn't just engage politically but should also implement various projects with practical dimensions. The very fact that they plan to spend around 30 billion euros from 2010 to 2030 speaks volumes. That is a significant amount," Gerxhaliu said.

He added that six billion euros in investments are planned for the 2024-2027 period, but that the first condition is political stability.

"The first condition for using these funds is political stability. Unfortunately, neither Kosovo nor Serbia has resolved some outstanding issues in dialogue. We see daily threats that if no agreement is reached, it will surely be impossible to access these funds, and that money is needed by everyone. Kosovo, Serbia, and the other countries in the Western Balkans all need it. There is so much room for new projects, so much work to be done, and money is always needed to implement it all," Gerxhaliu concluded.