Graovac: The British openly support Kurti, his policy suits them

Social Stability Center analyst Srdjan Graovac says for Kosovo Online that the United Kingdom is at the forefront of the position that openly supports Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti and the policy he pursues and that a firm and harsh stance should be taken towards Belgrade.

Graovac, when asked whether the fact that Stuart Peach, the UK's envoy for the Western Balkans, was the only one of the Quint countries' emissaries not to be in Belgrade and Pristina last week was a sign that there are differences among these countries when it comes to Kosovo and Prime Minister Albin Kurti, stated that major Western powers more or less have the same positions on this issue, but that there were noticeable differences in the style in which they approached it.

"There are no significant differences in the policies of the UK, Germany, France, Germany, or the US when it comes to the issue of Kosovo and Metohija. For all these countries, Kosovo is a closed chapter, an independent state, regardless of the violation of international law. The only thing they are thinking about is how to force Serbia to accept it as a kind of reality. British policy does not differ from the policies of the US or any other of these Western countries. However, there are certain nuances among these states, and we can see them. There are nuances even among Americans when it comes to Kosovo; there are different currents, some are clearly on Kurti's side, the hawks in the US establishment support everything he does. On the other hand, some are ready to criticize it, to point out the mistakes of the policy pursued by the Kosovo Prime Minister," Graovac noted.

He emphasizes that the British are closer to the center of power in the US which provides strong support to Kurti.

"They are even willing to protect him, regardless of the incidents he causes and the fact that his behavior could be a cause of conflict escalation. The British advocate for a tough and sharp policy towards Belgrade. In essence, Kurti's policy suits them very much," our interviewee stated.

He notes that the UK has another important task when it comes to Kosovo and the region, which is that after leaving the EU, they want to play a more significant role in international relations. He points out that when the UK was an EU member, it tried to pursue its interests in this area through institutions in Brussels. However, after leaving the Union, this is changing, and they want to make a grand return to the Balkans, which is why they have their special envoy.

"Britain's position is not insignificant, but it is far from being able to play a decisive independent role in this area. It is more of an exponent of US policy and certain centers of power in Washington, as well as Germany. Essentially, the entire diplomatic activity conducted by the EU depends solely on the support of the US. The EU has shown that it does not have the capacity to lead this negotiating process, that it does not have the strength to force the Albanians to implement what they promised and what the EU guaranteed," Graovac said.

Regarding the fact that on the day the big five were in Pristina, Peach was not there, but British MP Alicia Kearns, who uses every opportunity to support the Government of Kosovo and Kurti personally, while on the other hand calling for Serbia to be punished, Graovac says she is an openly Albanian lobbyist.

"There is no doubt about that; she has clearly shown with her statements that she fully supports the Albanian side. Stuart Peach had moments that could be said to be somewhat moderate, although compared to the behavior of Kerns and others, who are very extreme in their anti-Serbian positions. Why he was not there and why Kerns was there is more in the realm of speculation," he said.