Zekthi: Hasani would work for all peoples of the Western Balkans in the OSCE

Fitim Zekthi, a lecturer of political science and international relations in Tirana, tells Kosovo Online that it would be beneficial for the countries of the Western Balkans to have someone who understands all the problems and specificities of this region as the Secretary-General of the OSCE, and he evaluates that the current Albanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Igli Hasani, would be the right choice.

“In my opinion, due to today's increasing challenges and the cultural and political sociology very different from other European countries, the Balkan region needs people who will engage in the process of protecting democracy, increasing the independence of institutions, and strengthening the rule of law. It is necessary to have people deeply knowledgeable, preferably those with international experience, who also understand the culture and way of life in the Balkans, how the Balkans see themselves and others, and how the Balkans have progressed historically,” Zekthi believes.

He explains that it would be important for the region to have someone who knows the Balkans in the position of the new Secretary-General. These include the current head of the mission in Serbia, Jan Bratu, and the Albanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Igli Hasani.

“Of the two candidates from the Balkans, Igli Hasani is the more experienced, coming from the Western Balkans, and has proven over the years that he can work with everyone. He has the capacity to understand Albanians, Serbs, Bosniaks, Croats, and Bulgarians, as well as Russians and Germans,” Zekthi says.

He reminds that before being elected Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hasani had already worked in similar roles and that it is time for the OSCE to have diplomats who are not from Western countries at its helm.

“Mr. Hasani’s election would allow Balkan issues to be viewed from a deeper perspective and treated with the passion and compassion of someone who knows and loves the region because he understands its suffering, knows its history, and loves it as he is from there. With Hasani, Albanians, Serbs, Macedonians, Bosnians, Bulgarians, and others would have someone who knows them and has shown great dedication to everyone,” our interlocutor emphasizes.

He says that Hasani’s chances of being elected are realistic but will depend on many factors related to the geopolitics and national interests of OSCE member states.

He also emphasizes that a new director of ODIHR (the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights) and a commissioner for human rights will be elected simultaneously, making compromises necessary.

“Everything must be done by consensus, and if one country is against it, it cannot be resolved. In any case, Hasani is a figure known and accepted by the United States, Germany, Austria, and Greece. He has even been correct and cooperative with Russia and has real chances of being seen as a compromise figure,” Zekthi concludes.