Gogic: EU no longer trying to conceal what it wants from Serbia

Political analyst Ognjen Gogic believes that the message delivered by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, to Belgrade, about the expectation for it to de facto recognize Kosovo, is not a new condition, however, he emphasizes that it is clear that the European Union is no longer using euphemisms and attempts to conceal their intentions.

"What she said is not a new condition; they have essentially rephrased an existing condition. So, when you analyze the Franco-German proposal or the Brussels-Ohrid document, if Serbia were to accept and adhere to that document, it would send a message to everyone that it is de facto or implicitly recognizing Kosovo as an independent state," Gogic stated for Kosovo Online.

He emphasizes that the European Union is no longer trying to hide its expectations from Serbia, but their representatives are now openly discussing them.

"Now, no euphemisms or attempts to conceal it are coming from the EU; they are openly discussing what they expect. This is why, on every occasion during these meetings, last winter and now, President Vucic has been very explicit in stating that Serbia does not recognize Kosovo, neither de facto nor de jure. In international relations, the statements of heads of states also create new realities and new obligations. The President was, of course, aware of this," Gogic said.

He adds that this is why the President of Serbia has consistently taken the opportunity to emphasize that Kosovo's recognition is not acceptable to Serbia in any form.

"That is why he has been underscoring very explicitly on every occasion that Serbia does not recognize Kosovo's independence, in order to pre-emptively respond to any speculation about whether Serbia has recognized it in any way and to prevent anyone from taking it out of context or reading between the lines. That is why it has been important for him to reiterate it each time," Gogic concluded.