Yves Leterme: We missed the opportunity for the rapid integration of the region, the issue of Kosovo should be resolved

The former Prime Minister of Belgium, Yves Leterme, told for Kosovo Online that six or seven years ago, the European Union had missed the opportunity to integrate the Western Balkan region more quickly, stating that the Kosovo issue must be resolved, because the Union does not want to import unresolved issues.

"I think that six or seven years ago we missed the opportunity to integrate the region more quickly, which is surrounded by the European Union, and which has about 19 million inhabitants. It was possible then, and it is still possible, but political will is needed," pointed out Leterme, who participated in the "Strategic Economic Dialogue" gathering in Savudrija, organized by the Southeast European Business Development Network (SEEBDN) in Savudrija, Croatia.

Political will, he emphasizes, is needed on both sides, both in the European Union and in the countries of the Western Balkans, because there are problems on both sides that must be solved.

He also notes that the Union, before further expansion, must solve institutional problems, in order to avoid a situation in which too many issues would be blocked by the veto, but that decisions would be made by a majority.

One country should be prevented from blocking the other 26, Leterme added.

He states that there are still open issues in the Balkans, stating that, above all, the economic situation is unsatisfactory.

"Of course, there is also the problem of Kosovo, which needs to be solved," underlined Leterme.

He says that it is theoretically possible for Serbia to become a member of the EU without resolving the Kosovo issue, citing as an example - the admission of Cyprus, which even today has not resolved the issue of part of the territory.

He recalls that it was the same with Greece, which was admitted when it had great tensions with Turkey.

"Theoretically, it is possible, but practically - it is not possible, because there are EU members that recognize Kosovo's independence, such as my country, Belgium, which was among the first to recognize it, and those that do not, such as Spain", said Leterme.

He states that he, as a Belgian, did not come to tell Serbs and Albanians from Kosovo what they should do, but that they have to decide for themselves, but also that, as someone who comes from the EU, from a country that is one of the founding members of the Union and NATO, can say that the EU wants the situation to be stable, peaceful and for both sides to accept the solution.
 

When asked about the "Open Balkans" initiative, he said that the opening of borders was positive, especially between the countries of the Western Balkans, recalling that European integration also began that way.

"Ten years after the biggest conflict in Europe, Germany and France decided to cooperate economically and that brought stability and peace. Economic integration helps stabilization and peace. And economic integration in the Balkans is positive," Leterme said.

He said at the gathering that 10 years ago the EU had been closer to enlargement than it is today, and that this is not only because of fatigue from reforms in the region, but because on the European side they should "open their houses to new members".

He criticized the statements of the President of the European Commission, Ursula Von der Leyen, regarding Ukraine's membership in the EU, stating that the approach to the Union should be carried out on merit.

When it comes to Kosovo, he said that the issue should be resolved, because the EU did not want to import unresolved issues.

He added that some behaviors and actions of the leaders of Serbia and Kosovo are questionable, stating that the European Union is based on unity, discussion, agreement and compromise.