Serwer: Serbia is becoming a willing puppet helping Russia to make trouble in the Balkans

English

Gazeta Express

29/09/2021 12:22

Daniel Serwer, a professor at Johns Hopkins University and expert on Balkans affairs, says Kosovo’s reciprocity on vehicle plates with Serbia is the right principle, but its implementation needs to be successful. In an interview with Gazeta Express, Serwer said that US involvement in the Dialogue can be helpful but also will create pressure from Serbian side for Russian involvement.

Serwer says that Washington and Brussels need to awaken to the reality that Serbia is becoming a puppet helping Russia to make trouble in the Balkans.

“Serbia is becoming a willing puppet helping Russia to make trouble in the Balkans. It is no longer sitting on two stools but only the anti-democratic one. Washington and Brussels need to awaken to this reality,” Serwer said.

Serwer said that internationals should react to Serbia’s military show of strength at the border with Kosovo.

“The EU and US should be telling Serbia that the military show of strength is unacceptable, and that NATO will not only defend the territorial integrity of Kosovo but will also be prepared to limit cooperation with Serbia if it continues to pose any military threat to its neighbours,” Serwer said.

When it comes to reciprocity on vehicle plates which entered into force on 20 September, Serwer considers as the right decision adding however that its implementation should be successful.

“I think reciprocity is the right principle, but implementation needs to be successful. It is not yet clear whether it will be,” he said.

Commenting the urgent meeting of Kosovo and Serbia chief negotiators taking place today in Brussels, the professor at Johns Hopkins University said the US involvement can be useful. “The US can be helpful I think, but I’ll leave it to my diplomat colleagues to decide on the question of direct involvement. The downside is that it will create pressure from the Serbian side for Russian involvement. That would be a bad idea,” he said. /GazetaExpress/