Cutting or Tightening the Gordian Knot
Cutting or Tightening the Gordian Knot
Cutting or Tightening the Gordian Knot
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<strong>the</strong> region. Austria wants to make sure that EULEX can be active on <strong>the</strong><br />
whole territ<strong>or</strong>y of Kosovo. We know of course how difficult <strong>the</strong> situation<br />
in <strong>the</strong> N<strong>or</strong>th is and it may not be sure, that <strong>the</strong> EU can start operations<br />
<strong>the</strong>re immediately. We also know that <strong>the</strong> legal situation is complicated<br />
and not easy f<strong>or</strong> <strong>the</strong> UN. In any case we all need clarity f<strong>or</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
post-June 15 future. UNMIK needs it, <strong>the</strong> EU and NATO need it and not<br />
least <strong>the</strong> Kosovo government. Fur<strong>the</strong>rm<strong>or</strong>e, we need to ensure a smooth<br />
handover from UNMIK to EULEX. The deployment of EULEX has<br />
already experienced some delay because <strong>the</strong> EU does not know whe<strong>the</strong>r<br />
we will be able to draw on UNMIK’s assets. The most dangerous thing<br />
would be to have a security gap after 15 June because of a lingering confusion<br />
about <strong>the</strong> respective roles of UNMIK and EULEX. We must not<br />
come to a situation where local havoc might break out.<br />
As you know our government has recognized Kosovo as an independent<br />
state and is supp<strong>or</strong>ting <strong>the</strong> implementation of Ahtisaari’s Kosovo plan.<br />
Never<strong>the</strong>less Austria like <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r EU countries – regardless of <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
position towards Kosovo’s status – is aware how imp<strong>or</strong>tant it is to<br />
launch co-operation between Priština and Belgrade. The pri<strong>or</strong>ity is about<br />
reducing security risks. As I said last year: we all hope that leaders in <strong>the</strong><br />
region have <strong>the</strong> courage to overcome <strong>the</strong> darkness of <strong>the</strong> past two decades.<br />
We all hope that <strong>the</strong>y have <strong>the</strong> dedication to look f<strong>or</strong>ward, f<strong>or</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
benefit of <strong>the</strong>ir people.<br />
The w<strong>or</strong>kshop comes at <strong>the</strong> right time again. Parts of <strong>the</strong> Western Balkans<br />
are in a defining phase of its stabilisation: a new state has been created,<br />
and this has caused considerable tensions. The achieved peace<br />
processes need to be streng<strong>the</strong>ned never<strong>the</strong>less. We see this w<strong>or</strong>kshop as<br />
an opp<strong>or</strong>tunity to exchange different opinions on <strong>the</strong> actual developments<br />
in Kosovo and Serbia and <strong>the</strong>ir influence on <strong>the</strong> regional peace<br />
process in an open academic f<strong>or</strong>um.<br />
During <strong>the</strong> w<strong>or</strong>kshop we want top tackle some questions, which seem to<br />
be of special imp<strong>or</strong>tance f<strong>or</strong> <strong>the</strong> general topic:<br />
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