by Rafaela Prifti/
In the course of negotiations to de-escalate border tensions in North Kosovo, the EU Chief facilitator took note of the concerns raised by the Belgrade side concerning the non-implementation of the Association of Serb-majority municipalities, according to a Press Release from Brussels. David L. Phillips, Director of Program on Peace-building and Rights at Columbia University Institute for the Study of Human Rights was asked to provide his input in an interview on RTV Dukagjini. In his response, he focused on Kosovo’s constitution and its guarantees of the protected rights of the minorities. Consequently, Phillips said “ASM is redundant”.
As a critic of the EU sponsored agreement set up in 2013, the guest expert faulted Mr. Thaci for signing on “a bad deal”. While Prishtina faces pressure to adhere to the signed agreement, there might be ways for negotiators to push for equal treatment of Albanian minority in Serbia. Asked about the risks posed by the ASM implantation, Phillips said: “Having a Serb statelet in the north undermines Kosovo’s sovereignty.” Under the agreement. the Association would have broad economic powers, including a president, vice-president, assembly, council, coat-of-arms and a flag. Critics have argued that ASM poses a threat to Kosovo’s statehood and governing functions.
Dielli contacted David Phillips, Director of Program on Peace-building and Rights at Columbia University Institute for the Study of Human Rights and received the transcript of the broadcast interview in English as follows:
Question: Do you think that Kosovo will manage to avoid the establishment of association of Serb-majority municipalities, since we have signed this agreement?
Answer: ASM is redundant. Kosovo’s constitution already provides ample measures to protect and promote minority rights, which are also upheld through the Ahtisaari principles. Mr. Thaci’s arrangement for ASM was a bad deal from the beginning. If Kosovo does go forward with ASM, to which it is obligated, there should be symmetry with Serbia’s treatment of its Albanian minority in Preshevo.
Question: Do you think that this agreement will hinder the functioning of the state of Kosovo?
Answer: Having a Serb statelet in the north undermines Kosovo’s sovereignty. Kosovo is already a de facto partition. Whatever arrangement is reached with communities in North Kosovo, differences must be resolved through negotiations. Violence serves no one’s interest.
Photo Courtesy Telegrafi.com