05.04.2018.

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If Belgrade and Pristina do not cooperate, criminals do

{image1}The solution for Kosovo should preserve regional security and enable an unobstructedprocess of Serbia's accession to the European Union, it was pointed out by the Working Group on Chapter 35 of the National Convention on the EU, which BCSP is a member of, at the debate which was part of ...

{image1}The solution for Kosovo should preserve regional security and enable an unobstructedprocess of Serbia's accession to the European Union, it was pointed out by the Working Group on Chapter 35 of the National Convention on the EU, which BCSP is a member of, at the debate which was part of the internal dialogue. The event was organized on March 31, 2018, in Belgrade. The event was attended by the President of the Republic of Serbia, Minister for European Integration, representatives of Government offices and working bodies, and representatives of about forty member organizations of the National Convention on the European Union.

BCSP director Sonja Stojanovic Gajic said that armed conflict and solving the Kosovo problem using security forces would not lead to a sustainable solution. The results of the BCSP survey show that 74% of citizens share this viewpoint, and in the same research, the vast majority have made it known that they support the dialogue as a solution.

The dialogue should be predictable, with sufficient information made available and without labeling the other side. When we do not have enough information, and there are many weapons among the Serbs and Albanians, it is difficult to control the situation, warned Stojanovic Gajic. She also pointed out that all the research so far has shown that Serbs in the North Kosovo are more afraid of Serbian mafia structures than their Albanian neighbors.

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“The existence of parallel structures that determine life in the North, threats and intimidation have led to the emigration of Serbs from the North Kosovo and towards mistrust in the institutions of Serbia,” said Stojanovic Gajic, adding that a comprehensive agreement on the normalization of relations must guarantee the direct cooperation between Belgrade and Pristina.
 
“If there is no direct cooperation between the Kosovo and Serbian police and courts, then criminals can cooperate directly,” concluded Stojanovic Gajic.
 
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BCSP researcher Bojan Elek expressed concern and fear as a citizen of both Serbia and Kosovo regarding the political messages sent by both sides.

Security institutions must cooperate directly regardless of the status of Kosovo, Elek pointed out. “The police of Serbia and Kosovo took part in a joint action led by the EU in 2013, so there are already modalities for cooperation,” Elek said.

 

 

Preparing for accession to the Schengen Area is important for all EU candidates, and Serbia should start developing the Action plan this year. Elek explained that the Strategy on integrated border management is already in place, although the big political issue of the borders of Serbia remains open.

The accession process and Chapter 35 are expected to be used to further democratize society in Serbia, the BCSP researcher said, which would contribute to better security sector management and greater credibility. Respecting citizens' opinions is the best way to do so, as it was shown that two-thirds believe in continuing the dialogue, and an even greater percentage refuses the possibility of conflict, Elek reminded.

“The last sentence of the EU Enlargement strategy that was published in early February says that it’s up to the leaders of the Western Balkans states to seize the unique opportunity and turn the chance that was given to them into reality. We are here to do everything to make this happen,” Elek concluded.

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