Main focus of Friday, December 28, 2007

Kosovo, Europe's challenge in 2008

Serbia's parliament has confirmed the country's claim to Kosovo, thus calling into question Serbia's perspectives as a future EU member. Now, Slovenia is to play a special intermediary role in the conflict over Kosovo: The first former Yugoslavian country to become independent, Slovenia rotates into the EU Council presidency in January.

Delo - Slovenia

Slovenian journalist Peter Potocnik writes about the future status of Kosovo: "Belgrade has now said that an international decision would be acceptable if Kosovo remains an integrated part of Serbian territory. Clearly, even extreme radicals could accept that kind of 'approach' of Serbia to the EU... [President Boris] Tadic did say that, if it came to a war or international isolation, Serbia could neither keep Kosovo nor bring economic progress to its citizens; but he also added that the Serbian military is prepared to protect Serbians living in Kosovo. ... Anyone who still hoped that Serbia saw its future as part of Europe has received a clear signal of what today's Serbian politicians mean by 'pro-European.' Anything else is an illusion, just like the fruitless status negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina." (28/12/2007)

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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Serbia
All available articles from » Peter Potocnik

Der Standard - Austria

"The EU's policy towards Serbia reveals itself as inconsistent, implausible, and on top of that, careless," writes Adelheid Wölfl. "Because the Kosovo question is obviously linked with EU membership. For years, it was said in Brussels that there would be no EU agreement if Mladic is not turned over to the authorities." The Serbian government recently admitted that the alleged war criminal Ratko Mladic, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court in The Hague, is living in Belgrade. "There is a lack of clarity. That goes for the Serbian voters, as well. A state that protects alleged war criminals has not understood European values. Croatia had to learn this the hard way, too, in the case of accused ex-general Ante Gotovina. ... The Kosovo question is something else. It is understandable that Serbia won't support independence. And this is neither necessary, nor enforceable. Serbia simply has to be able to live with the fact that others will act in their stead." (27/12/2007)

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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » EU enlargement, » EU Policy, » Slovenia, » Serbia
All available articles from » Adelheid Wölfl

Le Monde - France

The columnist Thomas Ferenczi points out that Slovenia, due to take over the rotating EU presidency on January 1st, 2008, is making a priority of dialogue among communities. "Situated on the crossroads of Austria, Italy and the Balkans, this country is in a good position to act as a hyphen between communities. In 2007 it organised meetings intended to build bridges between conflicting groups and competing religions. It will continue to fight, through the confrontation of ideas, the 'shock of civilisations', inside and outside of the Union. Kosovo will of course be its primary field of action, but its objective is to contribute, in a general manner, to an improved relationship between the West and Islam." (28/12/2007)

» full article (external link, French)
More from the press review on the subject » EU enlargement, » EU Policy, » Slovenia, » Europe, » Serbia
All available articles from » Thomas Ferenczi

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