Realpolitik “ Flash” No. 37
17 – 30 December 2022
EXCLUSIVELY at ARGUMENTUM,
“Grand Master” in diplomacy, DR. JORGJI KOTE, “ dots the i’s and crosses the t’s” on 4 major events in 1000 words.
1. Dialogue and diplomacy degenerate in the relations between Pristine – Belgrade! Tensions in the North, barricades and hindrance for the free movement provoked by Belgrade have become alarming. Except for their “ concern and calls” little moves from the USA and the EU, which are harvesting the fruits of their astonishing support for Serbia, even now that it has sided openly with Russia! Therefore, besides the Serbian chauvinistic attitudes, the dangerous escalation which will accompany us also next year, even when barricades are removed, with major uncertainities and instabilities, when dialogue and diplomacy sound « luxury” are also due to the failed US and EU policies!
Meanwhile, our diplomacy, seriously compromised by “ Open Balkans” is behaving as if this crisis is occurring in Burundi and not near us.
2. The Sea in a deadlock! We mean the dossier of the demarsches related to the delimitation in the Ionnian Sea after the “ blitz” visit by Prime Minister Mitsotakis on 23 December in Himarë, Finiq and Derviçan, preceded by Foreign Minister, Dendias in Tirana. Although these visits have become more frequent, things are moving very little, mostly with “ kind words but stones in the bag” The same burning dossiers remain on the agenda. The “same old tune again and again” and without the issue of Çamëria, for it spoils the humor of Greek leaders. The law of war and the Ionnian Sea issue are also in the diplomatic drawers. Evenmore, PM Mitsotakis did not mention it, he simply referred to international law. A total public information darkness. No one can say where is the dossier, now 20 months after the glamorous declaration in Tirana to file it to the Hague. Many questions are waiting for an answer: who is negotiating, on what basis, on what points we agree and disagree?
What about the authorization by the President of the Republic, since the previous one accused of hindering the case left the office 6 months ago? Apparently, Ionnian Sea is a “time bomb”; therefore both sides are leaving no stone unturned so that it does not explode. So, why should we trust blindly and listen only to the governmental music? In which democratic country in the world is there such a total lack of public information on such a sensitive issue? Nowwhere !
3. Çhurcillian Zelensky! This is how they considered the Ukrainian President in Washington on 20 December, when he held his historic address to the US Congress. A proper comparison, when one thinks that on the same day 81 years ago, the emblematic Winston Çhurçill raised the Congress to standing ovations. Both went there from the war front, from the bunker where they lead the heroic resistence and war, both under the ongoing threat from germans and russians, determined for life or eath. Whereas Çhurcill launched the victory message with his epic “V”, Zelensky made it through the ukrainian flag with autographs from brave Ukrainian soldiers.
Both Churcill and Zelenesky wowed to celebrate Christmas, even without electricity and heating, with the flame of liberty in their hearts instead! Today, to defend and win in Ukraine is equally important and decisive for the West as the British victory during the Second World War. Because this is not merely the battle for victory of a people, but to uphold the fundamental democratic freedom and principles, it is the fight between the good and the (d)evil!.
4. A brilliant Presidency was indeed the EU Czech one, despite the exceptional difficulties of the situation after the Russian aggression against Ukraine on 24 Februay and several subsequent crises. The Czechs took the EU Presidency after France, which “ driven” into two pairs of decisive elections left important business unfinished.
Besides, the Czech pro – europian Premier, Petr Fiala was only for 6 months in office, after winning over the populist Andrea Babis. Plus, the Czech Republic was hit more severely than any other former eastern European country by COVID – 19, with 35.000 victims, the energy crisis and others.
The Czech Republic coordinated its work with the EU Commission, Council and Parliament in major decision-making processes in all areas. Thus, following the previous 6 packages, in July, October and December, the EU adopted three additional sanction packages against Russia; then it led the efforts, measures and major reforms to face the serious effects of the energy and food crisis provoked and the gradual reduction of dependency from russian energy. Most recently, the EU agreed on the Ceiling Price for Gas, vital for the survival of western countries.
Then, in the last 6 months, the EU pledged to Ukraine an additional amount of 20 Billion Euro and has scheduled other aid programs for the future.
An event with a wide-reaching echo, where the role and contribution by the EU Czech Presidency was noticeable was the inaugurative Summit of the New European Political Community ( EPC) on 6 October in Prague, with the presence of the leaders from 44 EU member and candidate members and other non EU states, including Western Balkans.
Apart from admitting Ukraine and Moldova as EU candidates, the EU made the historic shift to Western Balkans with its leaders attending the latest Summits in Brussels, Prague and Tirana.
On 3 November, the Berlin Process resumed with its Summit in Berlin with the presence of the 6 Western Balkan leaders, those from 10 EU Member States, the EU Commission and Council President, Von der Leyen and Charles Michel.
These summits, visits and processes were accompanied with acts, decisions and actions on the ground, seeking definitive solutions for the outstanding problems with some notable positive steps. On 18 July the negotiations with Albania and Northern Maedonia were finally opened. The EU Council decided to give the candidate status also to Bosnie – Hercegovine. On 14 December, Kosovo was provided with the free visa regime on 1 January 2024; the latter did also hand over on 15 December to the Czech Presidency in Prague the application for EU membership.
Finally, the most beautiful act for the Czech Presidency was the EU Summit in Tirana on 6 December, the first in the region; 26 EU Presidents and Prime Ministers, the presidents of the EU Commission and Council and others “ laned” in Tirana with their well – known messages.
© 2022 Argumentum
