Lajcak warns from Pristina: Less support for the side that rejects the European proposal

The EU special envoy for dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, Miroslav Lajcak, warned tonight in Pristina that the party that rejected the European proposal would be faced with a reduction in support.

Lajcak, in an interview with Klan TV, was asked what would happen if one side rejected the proposal, and he said that then the international community would reduce support for that side and increase it for the other, Reporteri reports

"Then the international community must respond in an appropriate way and will support one side more, or will reduce support for the other side," he explained in the "Rubikon" show.

Furthermore, he said that the dialogue process was an essential mission of the international community.

"This process is largely in the focus of the international community. Last Friday's mission was really difficult, the US, the EU, and the three countries would not have come here for nothing," Lajcak explained.

He added that when both sides said they were ready to accept the European proposal, they would gather at a joint meeting.

"We conduct these talks separately with the parties, but when we bring them together, of course, we expect them to accept the plan, sign it and, of course, implement it," Lajcak underlined.

The proposal contains 11 items, its philosophy does not have to change

Lajcak also said that the proposal contains 11 items, and that the best way to call it a proposal is for the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia.

"I presented the plan in September and we first talked with Prime Minister Albin Kurti. Then in December I presented the updated plan, with the comments we received from the Government of Kosovo. Last week we had our first substantive discussion regarding the plan. As you know, the meeting lasted two and a half hours, there was a long discussion, and the ambitions are to stop the cycle of crises in order to focus on normalization," Lajcak said.

When asked how much the current version has changed compared to the first draft, Lajcak said that some texts that were presented in the media were not correct.

"I came back after the first presentation, in Pristina and Belgrade we talked and asked for comments, and then we tried to incorporate them. We very clearly said that the philosophy of the proposal does not have to change, because it was made with the best intentions, to achieve the normalization of relations", Lajcak said.

Lajcak added that the last meeting was essentially focused on the European proposal, as a way to overcome the crisis and focus on the normalization of relations.

"That was our discussion, separately with the Government of Kosovo and with the President of Serbia, and our goal is to bring them both to the same room and agree on a plan. That's why last Friday was important, because we had essential conversations with Kurti, and then with Vucic," said Lajcak.

President Vucic gave a clear position in two statements

Lajcak said that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, in his statements after the meeting with him and four representatives of the USA, Germany, France and Italy, expressed a clear position on the issue of the European proposal.

"He made two statements after our meeting and I think he expressed his position very clearly. I would like it to be simple, because it is really important that we are on the right track with the Government of Kosovo and the Government of Serbia. This is very important," Lajcak said not wanting to comment further on Vucic's position.

He reacted similarly to the statements of Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, because the process is ongoing.

"You can't wait for me to answer that question, because the process is ongoing. I said what I said, on behalf of a group of representatives. We wanted to send some signals and I am here to continue our efforts, so that the agreement can be signed and implemented," Lajcak said.

The proposal gives a lot to Kosovo, as much as possible at this moment

Lajcak also said that the proposal leaves some issues unresolved, but that it contains a solution to many problems.

"The proposal is very good, it gives a lot to Kosovo, the status of Kosovo and relations between Kosovo and Serbia, the international position of Kosovo, I would say as much as possible at this moment," Lajcak said.

He added that the proposal is not the end of the story, which continues with a legally binding agreement on the normalization of relations for all open issues.

"Kosovo can gain a lot in terms of its status, the quality of relations with Serbia. Regional cooperation will be unlocked. The four freedoms will be guaranteed in the cooperation of the countries of the region. To a large extent, Kosovo's position in terms of the EU and the international community needs to be improved," Lajcak said.

Agreement to be signed as soon as possible

Lajcak added that he would like the agreement to be signed as soon as possible.

"I would like this to be done as soon as possible." I learned some things in politics, political attention is never focused too much on an issue in the region", he pointed out.

As he said, now there is the best cooperation, while next year the EU will be busy with the European elections, and the USA with the presidential one.

"The attention will not be at the same level. We are at the beginning of this year and let's do our best so that when we meet at the end of the year, we can say that the work was done well," Lajcak said.

I hope that the Serbs will return to the institutions

He said that the issue of the return of Kosovo Serbs to the institutions, who left them in November last year, is being discussed.

"I hope that the Serbs will return to the institutions. We are discussing these issues. They are important because the vacuum is not good, not even for the functioning of the system, so I expect the Kosovo government to create the conditions for the return of Kosovo Serbs to the institutions, and I expect Belgrade to encourage the return, because this is not a normal situation," Lajcak said.

License plates are part of the European proposal

He announced that the issue of license plates is part of the European proposal.

He said that too much time was spent on license plates, instead of more important issues.

"I think that in the last six months we have spent a lot of time on the issue of license plates. There was a lot of tension, anxiety and problems. Probably much more than this question deserves. It took a lot of time and energy that we could have spent on energy, for example. When we talk about license plates, this proposal is the answer, because license plates are also addressed with it," Lajcak added.

We are wasting time, Kosovo should not be afraid of the CSM, it will not be a new Republic of Srpska

Lajcak also said that Kosovo should not be afraid of the establishment of the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities, which, as he said, does not mean another Republic of Srpska.

"It is something that will be developed, established and signed only by Kosovo," Lajcak pointed out.

He also stated that Kosovo was wasting time resisting and opposing the establishment of the CSM.

"I am surprised that people are afraid of something that does not exist. Second, you will form it, it will not be imposed. Kosovo has an equal role in the dialogue, as does Serbia. What you signed means that you agree with it. You will not sign anymore something you don't agree with," Lajcak said.

The EU will have a special committee to check the implementation of the European proposal

Lajcak said that the EU would have a special committee to monitor the implementation of the proposal, after Kosovo and Serbia sign it.

"Technically, we will have a special body, a mechanism that will ensure that it does not happen that one side does its task and the other does not. Everything will be supervised by the European Union. We will have a special committee and the EU will be regularly informed and make decisions based on regular reports," Lajcak said.