Stano: The appointment of Rasic is a disappointment for the EU; it is not in accordance with the Constitution

The European Union and 27 member states called on Pristina to respect all procedural steps when appointing a minister who came from a minority community and that the appointments of ministers were in accordance with the Kosovo constitution, the spokesperson of the High EU Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Peter Stano, said today, N1 reports.

Stano added that the appointment of Nenad Rasic was a disappointment for the EU because it did not fulfill what was foreseen by the constitution.

“About the appointment of Nenad Rasic, as a minister, we said very clearly that it was vitally important that all ministerial appointments are in accordance with the constitution of Kosovo. The EU and 27 member states call on Kosovo to respect all procedural steps when appointing a minister who comes from a minority community. That should be respected," Stano said at the press conference.

He stated that this appointment was a disappointment for them because it did not fulfill what the constitution required and that it should be decided by the Constitutional Court of Kosovo.

"Compliance with the constitution is a key requirement and we expect Kosovo to comply with it," Stano pointed out.

He also emphasized that all 27 EU member states expected European behavior, be it rhetoric, action, or problem-solving.

"Regarding Kosovo, we commented on their move yesterday. Within the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, mutual trust is the key," the EU spokesperson said.
Stano repeated that "you should have European behavior when you have European aspirations, and that means refraining from unilateral steps; from steps that lead to escalation and you should be looking for solutions in a European way."

Stano also assessed that the situation on the field was "fragile.

"We had an escalation and the EU called on the two sides to calm tensions after unilateral steps and provocations. The security situation on the ground is fragile and that must be kept in mind. Any action that can increase tensions must be avoided. I remind you of the call that the EU and 27 member states directed to both sides to work on returning Kosovo Serbs to the institutions in accordance with the obligations of the agreement," the spokesperson said.

Regarding the summit in Tirana between the EU and the Western Balkans, the spokesperson of the European Commission Eric Mamer said today that the EU-Western Balkans summit was very important and that they expected all the leaders of the Western Balkans to be present together with the leaders of the EU institutions and the leaders of the member states.

Stano added that this summit was particularly important in today's geopolitical conditions and for the right path of this region.

He also emphasized that the visit of Special EU Representative Miroslav Lajcak to Belgrade and Pristina, which was announced for the following week, was "a continuation of his previous talks last week".

"He is often in the region, he travels whenever necessary to meet with partners and this visit is part of his work agenda," Stano said, answering the question of whether the visit had been planned earlier.