Hoti: If the Brussels Agreement had been interpreted properly, education and healthcare would already be part of the CSM

Professor of International Relations Afrim Hoti stated that forming the CSM would also resolve the issue of healthcare and education for the Serbian community, but that neither Serbia nor Kosovo wants to “move forward” and begin implementing the Brussels Agreement.

“From my point of view, the only thing missing at this moment is the establishment of the Association for the Serbian community. If the Brussels Agreement had been interpreted properly, if the Association (CSM) had been created and established by now, then education and healthcare would definitely have perhaps become part of that Association, but in accordance with Kosovo’s laws,” Hoti told Kosovo Online.

Commenting on the conflicting statements of German officials on this issue – Michael Reiffenstuel, Director for the Western Balkans, Turkey, the Council of Europe, and the OSCE at Germany’s Foreign Office, and outgoing German ambassador to Kosovo Jorn Rohde – Hoti said he is convinced that both share the same position but failed to provide a clear explanation of their claims.

On September 15, Reifenstuhl stated that Kosovo was violating the agreements reached regarding healthcare and education, and five days later, Rode said that these two institutions were the subject of negotiations and agreements signed in Brussels.

“The misunderstanding arose due to the lack of explanation that both officials should have given. In general, I think both German officials are aware that healthcare and the education system for the Serbian community in Kosovo must be aligned with Kosovo’s laws. That is definitely correct and appropriate, and both officials know that education and healthcare must be separated from the Serbian system,” Hoti said.

The analyst expressed confidence that, despite the differing statements from Foreign Office officials, Germany fully supports the implementation of the Brussels Agreement.

“At the same time, the question is how German officials perceive the whole situation given that the Serbian community of municipalities still does not exist,” Hoti stressed.

However, he is not optimistic that the CSM could be formed soon.

“The situation is such that neither side is ready to move forward or make progress. It seems that Serbia, at least under the current president or the current ruling party, is not ready to proceed with the implementation of the Brussels Agreement. And in response to that, it seems that the authorities in Kosovo are also not prepared to move toward the Association,” Hoti concluded.