International

Erik Meijer, Member of the European Parliament for the SP, was received this week by Kosovar Prime Minister Hashim Thaci. “Kosovo’s independence could lead to punitive economic measures by Serbia,” says Meijer, “but Thaci assured me that this would have no consequences for the Serb minority in Kosovo.”

At the end of last year Serb plans for possible reactions to an expected Kosovar declaration of independence were leaked. “These were, in the main, economic measures,” Meijer explains, “such as cutting off energy supplies. One of the risks of such actions is that Kosovo will take similar steps against its own Serb minority. Thaci said, however, that there was no question of this happening and I don't see any reason to doubt his words.”

Kosovo's declaration of independence continues to appear ever more imminent, yet reasons for delay always seem to be found. “First there were the elections in Serbia, and Kosovo was asked to delay so as not to play into the hands of the nationalist candidate,” Meijer says. “In the end he won all the same. Then the Spanish elections were given as a reason why the EU wanted a postponement, on the grounds that they didn't want separatist tendencies in regions of Spain to follow the example. But there's always something of the sort.”