Paneuropa Refutes Strache – Kosovo Has Been an Independent State for Ten Years

The Paneuropa Movement Austria reacts with utter disbelief to the statements made by the Austrian Vice-Chancellor in a Belgrade daily newspaper regarding the status of the Republic of Kosovo. Strache had claimed that Kosovo was still part of Serbia – the Vice-Chancellor has evidently slept through some recent developments and is not living in the here and now regarding foreign policy.

“The independence of the Republic of Kosovo has been recognised by Austria and 114 other states. All those countries that have still not taken this step ten years after the declaration of independence should finally accept the realities and, in the interest of a peaceful development of the countries of Southeast Europe, accept Kosovo’s independence,” explains Rainhard Kloucek, Secretary-General of the Paneuropa Movement Austria.

“Anyone who still refers to Kosovo today as a ‘natural part’ of Serbia is not only denying history but also reinforcing the narrative of a brutal regime.”

Kosovo’s independence was a logical consequence of the oppression of the Albanian majority in the region by Slobodan Milošević’s dictatorial regime. Anyone who still refers to Kosovo today as a ‘natural part’ of Serbia is not only denying history but also reinforcing the narrative of a brutal regime.

“The Vice-Chancellor’s denial of the independence of the Republic of Kosovo in a foreign medium undermines Austria’s position on this issue,” states Stefan Haböck, International Officer of Paneuropa Austria.

Austria supported the oppressed Kosovo Albanians (still the autochthonous majority population in Kosovo) early on and accordingly recognised their independence in 2008. However, not only is Austria’s position affected, but the Vice-Chancellor’s statement also contradicts the European Commission’s massive efforts for a peaceful resolution in the Serbia-Kosovo conflict. Bilateral exchanges in Brussels have intensified, President Vučić has called for a pragmatic solution in Serbia, and the rapprochement between the two governments is progressing. Kosovo’s status is one of the most important chapters in the EU accession negotiations with Serbia.

Just days after the presentation of the Western Balkans Strategy and Commissioner Hahn’s intensive talks with the Serbian President in Belgrade, and also just days before the 10-year independence celebration in Kosovo, the Vice-Chancellor’s statement can only be interpreted as torpedoing peace efforts. Strache’s statements thus also undermine the Serbian leadership’s efforts to bring about normalisation and resolve the conflict.

“Anyone who makes such statements in this situation, where efforts are being made to achieve a peaceful solution, is in truth holding a match to the fuse laid by nationalists and those stuck in the past. This not only risks the security of the local population but also that of the Austrian soldiers stationed in the country and, ultimately, peace in Europe!” state Kloucek and Haböck.

Enquiries:
Rainhard Kloucek
Secretary-General, Paneuropa Movement Austria
Tel.: +43 1 5051593
Fax: +43 1 5052356
Mobile: +43 (0)676 4060955
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