Lepaja: Normalization of relations with Serbia and Kosovo Serbs will be a hot topic in the campaign

Political commentator from Pristina, Fadil Lepaja, believes that the issue of normalizing relations with Serbia and with Kosovo Serbs will be a hot topic during the election campaign in Kosovo, especially since, as he says, most of the opposition is closer to the ideas of territorial exchange, while the government insists on the integration of Serbs into the socio-political life of Kosovo.

He adds that if the morning shows what the day will be like, the opposition’s campaigns will not focus on the economy and the real problems of citizens.

"They will try to bring down Kurti and Self-Determination at any cost, mainly by playing on the card of relations with allies, namely the US and the EU. Also, the issue of normalization of relations with Serbia and with Kosovo Serbs will be a hot topic, especially since most of the opposition is closer to the ideas of territorial exchange and the anti-globalist approach of US presidential candidate Donald Trump, while the government insists on the integration and participation of Serbs in the socio-political life of Kosovo and on building neighborly relations with Serbia based on European principles. Unfortunately, a large part of Serbs, especially in the north, still do not accept their civil rights and obligations according to the Constitution of Kosovo but believe that dual citizenship gives them rights in both Kosovo and Serbia. These rights in Kosovo should be built through joint life with other citizens and residents of Kosovo and contribute to good neighborly relations with Serbia," Lepaja says.

He says he hopes that Serbs will participate in the elections and that they will use all the rights and obligations granted to them by the Constitution of Kosovo.

"I hope they will build our Kosovo together with us, developed and European, and that no one will feel the need to go and live elsewhere. The sooner Serbs get involved in the socio-political life of Kosovo, the sooner the relations between the two neighbors will normalize, and the European path will be opened for both countries, Kosovo and Serbia," this analyst believes.

When asked if the statement by PDK MP Bekim Haxhiu – that anyone "who kills a Serbian police officer" has his "respect and the respect of the people of Kosovo" – is an indication that his party's campaign will be anti-Serb, Lepaja says that the statement is "stupid and unsustainable."

"I am convinced that the citizens of Kosovo do not think that way. Serbian police officers who perform their duties in Serbia, correctly and professionally, deserve the respect of the citizens of Serbia, and police officers of Serbian nationality who serve the citizens of Kosovo within the Kosovo Police, in a professional and correct manner, also deserve the respect of the citizens of Kosovo. Being a police officer is a profession like any other, and when it is within the law and professional code, it deserves everyone's respect. Serbian police officers who serve in Serbia today and those who once committed crimes in Kosovo are something entirely different, but it is not correct to use such emotions in daily political games," Lepaja says.