Realpolitik “ Flash” No. 31
16 – 30 SEPTEMBER 2022
EXCLUSIVELY at ARGUMENTUM,
“Grand Master”, DR. JORGJI KOTE, “ dots the i’s and crosses the t’s” on 4 major events in only 1000 words!
1. Elisabethian Britain !This is the UK after the immense farewell ceremony for Queen Elisabeth II. With unprecedented attendance, followed by 5 billion persons, the long queues, the unseen order and protocol and the presence of 500 world leaders it was the most prestigious homage that the world has ever seen. A gratitude for her long life at the people’s service, as she sworn in her youth. With a record reign overcoming numerous challenges, within the family, in UK and the world. After the famous Victorian Age ( 1837 – 1901) Queen Elisabeth II sealed her own epoch for 70 years on end, with a planetary radiating image and authority.
2. Words, words 77 were heard during the 77th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York. It was prevailed by the Russian aggression against Ukraine, its condamnation with sanctions and the demand to lift its veto right, proposals for prosecuting Putin for genocide and crimes against humanity, the global challenges, energy and food crises, climate and others. However, given the UN nature and rules, all the messages, useful and right as they were, remain only words and a boring refrain. Even its resolutions are not binding and effective without going through the filter of its Security Council. Although all have been crying out in the last 20 years for UN reform, for the enlagerment of Security Council with other large states, they are reduced just to wishful thinking. Therefore, despite the bombastic speeches held in the “Glass Palace”, they are quickly forgotten once the leaders pass the Atlantic and face the gloomy realities on the ground.
3. Irrelevant and unnecessary were some points raised in the address by Prime Minister Edi Rama in New York. Apart from showing solidarity with Ukraine and condemning the Russian aggression, the other issues were irrelevant and unnecessary for such a high UN podium and they should have been avoided. First, dwelling at length on Dick Marty’s Report and the Relevant Council of Europe Resolution. Because our side has submitted to the latter its draft Resolution to invalidate the previous one of 25/01/2011 on allegations for unproven illicit trafficking of human beings by former Kosovo leaders. As to the other allegations, they are being judged. Then, why should this issue be raised at the UN? To expose the Special Court for Kosovo in the Hague, which is sponsored by the EU and the USA!? When both the Kosovo and Albania’s leaderships have supported its establishment in 2017. Besides, it is naïve to think that through high – level speeches and accusations in Brussels, New York and elsewhere this Court in the Hague would be pressured and even shut down?! In fact, even if this occurs, those in pre-detention will be judged and declared guilty or innocent and we wish the latter! So, until then, there is no reason why we should speak here and there and bias the international independent justice. In the final analysis, from the formal point of view, Dick Marty raised allegations and indications, which the Council of Europe in January 2011 decided through its Resolution to refer to the international justice with a prevailing number of votes, 169 in favour, with only 8 against and 14 abstains. Therefore, it is much better to work on with the Member States in Strasbourg, so that our draft be adopted, so tjhat, as they say, “ we not let the perfect be the enemy of the good”
Irrelevant was also to mention “ Open Balkans” there where very few know it and there is no interest for a trilateral which is in a deadlock! Even worse, PM Rama did not mention “ Berlin Process” and the EU – sponsored WB Common Regional Market; this is a harmful defiance for Berlin,the EU and the USA! This occurred only a month prior to the Summit in Berlin on 3 November to invigorate the Berlin Process at Chancellor Scholz invitation Irrelevant was also to mention the possibility that Greece and Turkey may join Open Balkans, a genuine nonsense in all respects! Just imagine how can Greece and especially Turkey admit to hand or be guided by Tirana and Belgrade!
Equally irrelevant and unnecessary were the appeals and advocacy not to make pressures over Serbia regarding the sanctions against Russia, given its total energy dependence! But, what about other states that are doing the utmost to get rid of the same energy dependence and yet, they have imposed sanctions on Russia? What about the most recent agreement between Belgrade and Moscow on diplomatic consultations and the aligment policy with the EU? When all other EU leaders avoided even shaking hands with Lavrov!
The same applies to PM Rama calls for dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo, without any distinction and placing both on the same par. Wrong and unnecessary is also the relationship that he is forging with Pristina and Belgrade, visibly in favour of the latter.
4. Geopolitics starts at home! In the regional and international forums continues “the old tune” pressing the EU to speed up the enlargement towards Western Balkans to avoid the Russian danger. However, much is abused with this demand. Until now only geopolitics is there but almost nothing regarding domestic reforms. Moreover, when the EU geopolitics has done its own; i.e. the negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia are opened, many financial aids are allocated for those reforms, in October, in the EU Prague Summit the new European Political Community will be launched, with the 6 WB countries and others. Accordingly, what remains to be done for them is just intensify the reforms, heal the several social wounds, above all asylum which is growing with dreadful figures, the fight against corruption and organized crime and others. But it is not geopolitics and the EU that can deal with them from outside. So, caution, if we do not work from inside at home, then through geopolitics we can force Russia out from the door, but it will enter from the window”. True, geopolitics may encourage and accelerate EU accession, yet, decisive is the domestic factor and reforms. Unfortutanely, now Albania is drawing back, as in the case of the three notorious drafts- laws firmly opposed by the EU. What is worse, we have a government and governmental departments, but they are ungoverning with arrogance.
