The opposition in Pristina does not accept the proposal of the EU agreement if it does not include the recognition of Kosovo

Opposition political parties in Kosovo support the dialogue process with Serbia but do not agree with the European Union's proposal for the normalization of relations, in case it does not result in the recognition of Kosovo by Serbia, Reporteri reports.

"The Democratic Party of Kosovo welcomes the proposal of the European Union for the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia, but only as a basis for discussions on the final agreement between the two states," the representative of that party, Rashit Qalaj says.

However, as he points out, PDK's position is that the proposal, which must be discussed until a final agreement, must contain five essential elements.

"And these are the preservation of the unitary character of the country, recognition by the five EU countries that have not yet recognized Kosovo, integration into NATO or the Partnership for Peace, obtaining the status of a candidate for the European Union, as well as mutual recognition of Kosovo and Serbia," Qalaj said.

The vice-president of the Democratic League of Kosovo, Lutfi Haziri, told Radio Free Europe that his party's position was that an agreement between Kosovo and Serbia was necessary and that it should be reached as soon as possible, but he emphasized that the agreement had to be effective.

"However, as far as is known, the recognition of Kosovo by Serbia does not appear in the text of the European Union's proposal for the normalization of relations," Haziri said.

He emphasized that the dialogue would have no meaning if mutual recognition was not achieved.

"No agreement, which does not have recognition as a conclusion, will not be enough and will not be supported by the Democratic League of Kosovo. This is our position for the last 10 days, despite the fact that we supported the dialogue and we support the Government," Haziri says.

He adds that the Democratic League of Kosovo will confirm this political stance at the meetings that the US Embassy in Pristina will organize with political parties and civil society on January 31.

"No one ever expected that the independence of Kosovo would be explicitly stated or expected in the basic documents because Serbia will continue to oppose any recognition of Kosovo and will try to find a door to get out and buy time with the withdrawal of recognition. But we have to convince them and we have to argue before international mediators, before the international factor, and especially before the high representative of the European Union, Josep  Borrell, and the American government, that recognition is the solution to the problem, because, without recognition of independence, Kosovo remains an open problem in the relations between Kosovo and Serbia," Haziri emphasizes.

Political process expert Agon Maliqi assesses that the statements of the Government and opposition parties are tactical, that they aim to strengthen Kosovo's position in the negotiations, but that they are also for internal political use.