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REAL POLITIK FLASH NO. 76
16 – 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
With “ flash” comments on the 4 major events in only 1000 words by the well-known analyst,
DR. JORGJI KOTE
Grand Master in Diplomacy
1.Balkans with its six leaders was in Brussels and New York. In Brussels on 18 September in a Working Luncheon hosted by the President of EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. Her first meeting with them following her confirmation and for the new European political season. Although this meeting was about the preparations to benefit from the EU Economic Growth Pact, everything was much more a break with vacations, a family photo, smiles and hands shake. Nothing more!
The same thing occurred in New York on 25 September, but with a dinner instead of a luncheon and hosted by Josep Borrell, which could be his farewell party with them. As we have mentioned before, these regional meetings have become a political summer theatre, without any essential value and result, apart rom the image and the pleasant atmosphere there with drinks and delicacies for their leaders.
2.World Diplomatic Fair may be called the 79th UN General Assembly during the last three weeks. I have been three times in the “ Glass Palace” some years ago; there are simply exhibited and “selled out” the samples, ideas and concepts on the new political products and crisis. More in the form of a political marketing, especially for small-sized countries like ours, without any impact on the international realpolitik. Only speeches, meetings and pledges, no decision, no reform, as they words, only words my Lord!”
3. Bektashi ministate as an accomplished fact! Certainly the glamorous news in the last two weeks was the announcement by New York Times and PM Rama on the future founding of a ministate of Bektashis in Tirana after Vatican’s model. This issue has been addressed in Arguentum as well. So here let me just mention that it became a “fait accompli” without any public infiormation and transparency, as it happens in a true demoractic state. Without any explanation on the use and need for such an enclave. This could and should have been done in round media and public tables in meetings with religious communities and other events. Meanwhile, our diplomacy should have “ tapped the wire” of other countries, so that if and when time comes for this enclave to be in place, it would find the necessary confidence and consensus without problems and hindrances. Hereby, apart from our great allies, who are speaking with a half voice on this issue, special attention should have been paid to the neighbouring states, so that this Bektashi ministate would become neither a precedent, since the ground is ready for that nor “ an apple of dissacord”. Because things beyond us do not occur and develop only under our Prime Minister’s logic or even our domestic laws. Diplomacy everywhere “ smells and hunts” attentively and especially such souveniers from a country itself. Only then this product could have been “ sold out” in New York Times and elsewhere. Should the Government have acted in this way, then things would be clear. This could have also saved several long – distance replies from Prime Minister Rama against several objections coming from academicians, religious communities and others. It was an improper response from the PM, lacking the necessary behavious, without much respect for different and even opposing ideas, which distinguish a genuine democratic country and government.
4. At last the negotiations! Yes, on15 October the Second Inter-Governmental Conference will take place in Luxembourg, which does also mark the opening of accession negotiations for the first cluster of chapters EU – Albania , ” Fundamentals” as they are known. This became possible after Greece lifted its veto. Meanwhile, they decoupled Albania from Northeern Macedonia with which we stood together from year 2019. Of course, this marks a new moment of mobilization for the government, opposition, social society, media, economic community, diplomacy and other actors. The goal is to enable or come closer to meeting the target announced by Prime Minister Rama that the year 2030 should find us in the EU.
As to certain reservations from decoupling us from Northern Macedonia, I have dwelled at length on his issue before at ARGUMENTUM and even in my latest book “ Negociata, the final challenge of integration”. Three years ago, I did argue why we should continue to be together until the end of 2022 and then ask to be decoupled, sicne this was not only in our hands. Albeit the sensitiveness, patriotism, the moral aspect, our solidarity with Northern Macedonia and our fellow citizens there, decoupling is the best, persuasive andviable alternative for Northern Macedonia itself.
Besides, we cannot tell the EU and its 27 Member States that thanks, but we do not want to proceed without Northern Macedonia. Realpolitic does not work like this. Certainly, this position would be rejected by the EU, it will cool off our relations with Sofia, Brussels and other states that have been lobbying actively in our favour. On the other hand, we have been 5 years togther with Northern Macedonia and they left us for so long purpossly, but yet, no result came out as it was thought, neither with Bulgaria, no with Skopje. Moreover, things went from bad to worse. So, the continuation of our integration couple is not likeley to bring something new, even less a breakthrough, neither tor Skopje nor to Sofja. However, the EU can do nothing without Sofia on board and besides, a EU Member State like Bulgaria is more reliable than a candidate, no doubt about it.
Likwise, standing together could be used by certain circles in Skopje to hide themselves behind it or simply to exert pressure over Sofia and lag behind. Certainly, we have and we can find other ways and means to express our solidarity and support for Northern Macedonia and our fellow citizens to move ahead in the integration process with a european spirit. Now its time to set seriously to work because we shall start the negotiations on 15 October but no one knows when we shall finish with the six clusters of chapters. There are many conditions and problematics in this area; besides, the veto will stand as “the Damocle”s sword on our heads”. Crime, corruption, some acts and controversial laws and opposed by the EU are right now serious hindrances that take time to address successfully and in compliance with the EU legislation and practices.
© 2024 Argumentum
