The European Union is interested in the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia, whether through dialogue or some other instrument, said the European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, in an interview with Radio Free Europe.
“Maybe it’s dialogue, maybe it’s another tool. I am ready to examine this issue, and I will do so together with the Special Representative in the coming days,” said Kallas, who is expected to visit the Western Balkans next week, reports. KosovaPress.
Kallas also spoke about the potential impact of the trade war between the EU and the United States of America, as well as the possibility of a ceasefire in Ukraine, emphasizing the need for Europe’s involvement in any negotiations on this issue.
Radio Free Europe: New [United States] tariffs of 25 percent on automobiles go into effect today. How will the European Union respond, and what do you think this says about transatlantic relations?
Kaja Kallas: So far, our trade people are interacting with the Americans, so they don’t know exactly what’s coming. There are statements that we see, but what are the real actions? If such action comes, we also have a plan ready, but what I want to emphasize is that there are no winners in trade wars.
In the end, prices go up and consumers pay more for these products, and that’s not a smart move. So I still hope we don’t start this trade war.
Radio Free Europe: [Finnish President] Alexander Stubb, when he was in America recently, spoke about a possible full ceasefire in the war [between Ukraine and Russia] on April 20. Do you think that is feasible?
Kaja Kallas: So far, Ukraine has agreed to a ceasefire three weeks ago, and we haven’t seen any positive signs from Russia. They’re just playing games.
I think it would be great to give them a clear deadline by which they have to respond, state their position, and show goodwill that they want peace.
It’s clear that Ukrainians love him.
Radio Free Europe: [Kirill] Dmitriev, one of the Kremlin’s negotiators, is expected to visit Washington soon. Would you like to talk to him? Do you think the EU should negotiate with him?
Kaja Kallas: For Ukraine, Ukraine must negotiate with Russia. This cannot be done by anyone else, because it is about Ukraine and it cannot be done without Ukraine.
I think this is extremely important. When it comes to European security, we certainly need to discuss among ourselves and with our allies how to fix this issue.
Radio Free Europe: But is the EU or any European country willing to discuss directly with Moscow?
Kaja Kallas: When it comes to real negotiations related to Europe, I think it’s important to keep in mind that Russia should not have any influence on how we organize our security, because Europe is not attacking Russia. On the contrary, Russia has attacked its neighbors, which is why we are discussing our security arrangements.
However, when it comes to the negotiations on Ukraine, it is clear that Europe must be at the table, because their outcome affects us too. And any agreement cannot work without its implementation by the Europeans.
Radio Free Europe: So, will you talk about this with [US Secretary of State Marco] Rubio when he’s in Brussels in the coming days?
Kaja Kallas: We have talked about this before, when we had the G7 meetings in Canada, and we will definitely talk about this again. It is very clear what the EU has in hand – the sanctions have been imposed by the European Union, we have the training mission for Ukrainian soldiers, the civilian mission in Ukraine and also the EU enlargement process, which includes Ukraine.
Radio Free Europe: How do you see [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu’s visit to Hungary, an EU member state? Are you concerned that perhaps other people wanted by the International Criminal Court could come to the EU? Especially the Russian leadership.
Kaja Kallas: Member States are parties to the Rome Statute, which relates to the International Criminal Court. It is therefore incumbent on Member States to implement the decisions of the International Criminal Court and the obligations they have undertaken. It is clear that it is important to maintain the credibility of the International Criminal Court, and the European Union supports this court in every way possible.
Radio Free Europe: So, the possibility that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin will visit an EU member state soon cannot be ruled out, if the EU does not implement the convention?
Kaja Kallas: The EU implements it, but the problem is that the EU is not a member of the convention, the member states are. Therefore, the member states have to implement it – if a person enters their territory, they have to implement the decisions of the International Criminal Court.
Kosovo–Serbia Dialogue
Radio Free Europe: Next week you will visit the Western Balkans. What do you think about the protests we are currently seeing in Serbia? Are you ready to organize a high-level meeting soon, within the framework of the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia?
Kaja Kallas: As for protests, that’s democracy – it happens even in EU member states that people get tired of governments and protest. This shows that democracy is working.
Regarding the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, or the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, I have appointed a Special Representative, with whom I will sit down to look at the future. What interests us is the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia. Whether through this dialogue, or some other instrument, we will gather ideas and come up with a proposal.
Radio Free Europe: So, could it be something else, besides dialogue?
Kaja Kallas: It seems that the dialogue has stalled a bit, because the parties are just complaining about each other. I think we need to keep the ultimate goal in mind – the normalization of relations between them, so that they can move forward on the European path.
Maybe it’s dialogue, maybe it’s another tool. I am ready to explore this issue, and I will do so together with the Special Representative in the coming days.
Radio Free Europe: And finally, regarding Georgia, how do you assess the changes to the Law on Foreign Agents and the Law on Broadcasting? Does the EU still have any influence over Georgia?
Kaja Kallas: The situation there is extremely difficult. We know that the majority of the Georgian people strongly support the European Union, and want Georgia to join the EU.
But this is not the path the government has chosen. The question for us is: what can we really do to help? We have redirected funds from the government to non-governmental organizations and civil society, to help them continue on the European path.
Radio Free Europe: But is there anything more concrete against the government? The sanctions didn’t work, is there something else?
Kaja Kallas: We need to have an agreement between the 27 member states. And that’s the problem here. So we’re still working on the options we can have. We’ve put in place the visa requirement for diplomatic passports, but we’re constantly discussing what else we can do.