Diplomats Must End Appeasement of Serbia

Washington, D.C.

We, the undersigned, representatives of the Albanian American community, are deeply concerned with the deliberate obstruction of progress and provocations emanating from Belgrade. These tactics are intended to fuel tensions and undermine EU-led, US-supported, efforts for any realistic and lasting agreement of peace and mutual recognition between Kosova and Serbia.

Serbia remains a Russian proxy in the region, with increasing public support in both countries reinforcing the growing alliance between the Vucic and Putin’s regimes. While Vucic and his cronies are getting enriched by their unholy ties to Russia, flexing with organized criminals and Putin’s aid throughout the region, diplomats are continuing with patience and appeasement.

Current pressures from diplomats seeking further compromises from Kosova and its citizens are counter to the very democratic principles of justice, equality, and progress for Balkans and Europe. History has demonstrated time and again that pandering to Vucic and his Milosevic era cronies, which incessantly undercut efforts of the democratic world, leads to delayed progress and inevitable escalations. Yet, anytime Serbia grumbles with discontent and flirts with Russia and/or China, international partners strangely seem to ask for more concessions from citizens of Kosova. They seem to coerce Kosova into an unviable agenda of delayed solutions, instead of standing up for its admirable new democracy that aspires to be a role model for the entire region.

These regrettable approaches have resulted in keeping Kosova in limbo for decades, while imposing much higher costs for the Euro-Atlantic allies and contributing to the suffering of all the Balkan people.

The Republic of Kosova is an aspiring democratic state. Its constitutional framework establishes that every citizen, despite race, gender, or ethnicity, is equal under the law. Kosova has the most advanced liberal democratic framework with comprehensive affirmative action rights for minorities, especially the Serb minority – rights which are not matched even by the most advanced democracies in the European Union – certainly not remotely consistent with the horrific treatment that Albanians continue to receive in Presheva valley, in Serbia.

We applaud the sacrifice, democratic principles, and the long overdue commitment to the rule of law evidenced in the decisiveness of Kosova’s leadership. We also call upon all political and civil leadership in Kosova – both Serb and Albanian – to galvanize efforts for normalizing relations and integrating all Serbs in northern municipalities with the rest of citizens living in Kosova.

Kosova’s critical objective is its quest to join all Euro-Atlantic organizations as a capable and responsible partner to allies in Europe and the US. It has no alternative but to reject further concessions designed to divide the country along ethnic or religious lines. Instead of pressuring for further compromises, western leaders should embrace Kosova as a reliable partner – a source for stability and rule of law in the region. International pressure should be on the remaining few nations to recognize and accelerate Kosova’s entry into NATO. With any luck, if Serbia sees that the resolve is real, perhaps it may cut its alliance with Putin and embrace Kosova as an independent state within Europe and the NATO alliance.

Signatories of the Statement, Albanian American Organizations:

Pan-Albanian American Congress (PAAC)

Batalioni Atlantiku – Atlantic Battalion

Albanian-American Community of Illinois (AACI)

Malesia e Madhe Association, New York

Albanian Diaspora Business Network

Peja – New York Association

Kraja Association

Ulqini Association – Chicago

Çameria Association

Prespa Association – Chicago

Uskana Association

Plavë Guci Foundation

Ana e Malit Association

Valet e Liqenit Association

Jehona Association – Michigan