Hoxha: Great Britain can contribute to Kosovo's NATO membership

Journalist Leart Hoxha stated that Kosovo's most crucial need was recognition from the four NATO countries, and that Great Britain, with its significant diplomatic influence, could assist Kosovo on its path to NATO.

In response to the statement from British Foreign Secretary David Cameron that this country would help Kosovo regarding new recognitions of Kosovo's independence, Hoxha assesses for Kosovo Online that the United Kingdom possesses considerable diplomatic power, especially in African countries, and can aid Kosovo in its journey towards NATO.

"Primarily, it must be said that Kosovo is now interested in four recognitions, that only four countries are important for further integration of Kosovo into NATO and for consolidating Kosovo's statehood on the international scene, these are four NATO member countries that do not recognize Kosovo. This is the key to Partnership for Peace, i.e., NATO membership", Hoxha said.

As he adds, Cameron's first message was about security in Kosovo and an increase in KFOR troops, which, according to him, indicates that Great Britain will work towards Kosovo's NATO membership.

"Great Britain has significant diplomatic power in African countries, as well as in countries on other continents, but since Cameron first talked about security being a priority, and then about a larger number of KFOR forces, and only then about new recognitions, I think all diplomatic efforts boil down to finding the best way for all NATO members to recognize Kosovo", Hoxha stated.

When asked if Great Britain could influence Serbia regarding Kosovo, Hoxha said that the country had a separate agenda on that matter but could not do much alone in the dialogue process.

"The fact that Stuart Peach was in the delegation and that he, among the envoys appointed by Western countries in the dialogue process, has a separate agenda, not following Lajcak, Zaric, and others, indicates that Great Britain is not there just to support the EU and the USA but has its own agenda and interests. They will likely try something in their diplomatic circles with Serbia, but it's not something Great Britain can push on its own", Hoxha believes.

Regarding the lobbying of Great Britain for Kosovo's membership in international organizations, Hoxha emphasizes that considering the situation in the world, that country cannot do much. He adds that Great Britain is no longer an EU member, and the UN has "its problems".

"They are now outside the EU, where they have no influence, and as for the UN, it is very complicated, given the situation in Palestine, I doubt that anyone will seriously deal with Kosovo becoming a UN member or an organization within the UN. There will be some compromise, considering that Prime Minister Brnabic sent a letter in December, so again, we come to the idea that if there is a will of Great Britain to push Kosovo onto the international scene, it will mostly be through NATO or some other platform that may be economic. Regarding the UN and the EU, I doubt that the British will be able to do much more there", Hoxha concluded.