Petritsch: Kosovo is ignoring EU sanctions because they are ineffective

It is clear that the government in Pristina is ignoring the sanctions imposed by the European Union because they are not effective, former EU envoy for Kosovo Wolfgang Petritsch assessed.

When asked whether the EU sanctions had achieved their goal and whether Pristina had done anything to deserve their removal, Petritsch told Kosovo Online that it must be taken into account that Kosovo is at a very low economic level, making sanctions less effective.

“Especially in the case of Russia, we see how problematic sanctions can be. Serbia has taken a critical stance toward the EU's sanctions on Moscow from the beginning. That is indeed a problem, but as it turns out now, sanctions alone are not the solution,” Petritsch explained, using Russia as an example.

He emphasized that the same applies to Kosovo.

“It is obvious that the government in Pristina is ignoring the sanctions. These sanctions are not effective because, and this must be considered, Kosovo is at such a low economic level that sanctions have a much weaker impact,” Petritsch underlined.

When asked how the EU could exert pressure on Albin Kurti, Petritsch said that it is a difficult task.

“Exerting pressure on or working with Kurti is certainly more difficult than it was previously with Hashim Thaci. Something new needs to be found,” the former Austrian diplomat said.

Petritsch expressed confidence that the new EU Envoy for dialogue, Peter Sorensen, will nonetheless find tools and options, and that he will have the backing of Brussels, and that what he proposes will be taken seriously by both Pristina and Belgrade.

“I think it is now necessary to find a new beginning,” Petritsch added.