Gudzic: If Kosovo were to become a member of the Council of Europe, it would be a reward for crime

Historian Aleksandar Gudzic tells Kosovo Online that he expects the non-paper, which Belgrade announced it would send to all Council of Europe members, to list all the problems Serbs in Kosovo have been facing for years – from non-compliance with obligations outlined in the Brussels Agreement to property usurpation and the abolition of the dinar, which puts the existence of Serbs in question.

"We witness institutions in Pristina as well as individuals usurping Serbian property. The paradox in which we live is perhaps best illustrated by the fact that the Kosovo Anti-Corruption Agency, until about ten years ago, unlawfully and without any compensation used the premises of the Church of St. Nicholas in Pristina. This means that the Agency, which is supposed to protect the rule of law, unlawfully and without payment or any rent, used SOC facilities in Pristina. Then there are secret indictments, fabricated trials against Serbs, and many other things. Without addressing all the problems that Serbs face, I don't think Kosovo belongs in the Council of Europe," Gudzic says.

He believes that attention should be drawn to the problems of Serbs in the international public, but that unfortunately, Kosovo has been rewarded for all its crimes and mistakes from the past.

"We shouldn't have too high expectations from the international community, especially from the part that sponsors Kosovo's independence, but that certainly doesn't mean we should give up on any form of fighting for our rights. If Kosovo were to become a member of the Council of Europe, it would be another reward for unfulfilled obligations and rewarded crime for them," Gudzic concludes.