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4 – 18 FEBRUARY 2024
On 4 major diplomatic events briefly with only 1.000 words by
DR. JORGJI KOTE,
Grand Master
1.Italy is also in the Balkans! This was shown in the Meeting of Western Balkans Foreign Ministers on 5 February in Rome at the initiative of the Italian FM, Antonio Trajani. Its major message was that Italy is being much more involved with security and stability in the region. This is normal because when France, Germany, the UK, Turkey and even Romania are being very active in this region in turmoil, Rome cannot stay aside, particularly in the economic and political fields. Prior to that, PM Meloni appointed a Special Envoy for the Western Balkans. With Albania, Italy signed an agreement for the acknowledgment of pensions, another for the displacement of Albanian prisoners in Albania and the famous agreement for receiving 3000 asylum seekers annually. This event followed other similar meetings that “are growing like mushrooms” everywhere but with minimum results or even worse.
This is so for as we have highlighted before, Italy and other EU states should realize that the worst evil in the countries of our region lies inside them and not abroad. Therefore, the solution would first come from within and not from abroad. Hence, even from this meeting it was hard to expect something more, apart from Italy’s image implying that it does also stand on the forefront in the Western Balkans.
2.No more a step forward and two back! Unfortunately, this is what Kurti’s government is doing in its foreign policy. True, it has scored many good political points in the recent months and in its image for the very good management of the crisis afer the terrorist storm in Banjska on 24 September 2023. But afterwards it has made two or even more steps backward. The most recent was the decision of the Kosovo Central Bank on banning the Serb dinar. A decision which is facing harsh criticisms and pressures from our western allies and USA. First with their polite requests for cancelling that decision until 13 February, when the US Assistant Secretary of State James O’Brian put a question mark on the further partnership with Kosovo. True, from the legal and constitutional point of view Pristina is right to adopt such a decision.
Yet, Kosovo should bear in mind that it is not yet a state in the classic sense; it is not known by the UN and many other states, its security and stability although under the NATO’s ombrella remains fragile, when the dialogue with Belgrade is at a deadlock, when the situation with threats from Russia, China, North Korea and Iran is deteriorating. Well, under these conditions, the legal and constitutional aspects are not sufficient. Therefore, the government there has to listen, to ask and even comply with the suggestions and demands of our allies, accompanied with preparatory precautions, a larger time at the disposal and not just “ on the spot”! In brief, one needs to appease and not strain the situation anymore. Moreover, when the USA and the EU are bluntly telling Pristina to cancel that measure and Kurti continues on his own with empty statements, this means you are going in a blind alley both at home and abroad. At a time when our allies are overloaded with the above-mentioned geopolitical issues, for them it is “too much” to deal with such idle diplomatic stubborness. So, while it is not yet too late, PM Kurti should make the much – expected turning point; he should realize that it is impossible to keep going guided by the leninist principle “ a step forward and two others back” Otherwise, it means that you are playing with the fire!
3. Blinken “cemented” Rama during his visit in Tirana on 15 February. He reconfirmed Rama, describing him as “ extraordinary leader and partner” Certainly Blinken spoke on the basis of Realpolitik interests, without dwelling on democratic values, domestic problems and challenges crying out for solution. This occurred a day prior to MCGonigal’s trial, spreading out in this way every shade of rumours on the alleged hostility of the US administration with Rama and demarshes for his replacement. Then, apart from superlatives for Rama, Blinken ignored the opposition leader(s); for the first time, a US Secretary of State did not meet its leaders, neither did he answer to a question by the journalists on that. This was a fatal blow for the opposition and its “non – grata” just a few days before its protest on 20 February. Viewed again from Realpolitik approach, the pressing defence and security needs, although in exaggerated dosis, ignoring the opposition was expected. Practically, in the marshes where opposition finds itself, opposition is not a better actor or factor for meeting the current challenges than government Rama; albeit its democratic deficits which have become secondary and terciary.
4.Without security everything is NIL! This statement by German Chancellor Scholz was the major message of the 60th International Security Conference held from 16 – 18 February in Munih. The most important informal forum, where no decisions are reached; they meet there to touch the pulse of one another, warming up and shaping the upcoming decisions. It was attended by 184 high representatives and organizations, among whom 50 heads of state/governments and the Ukrainian president Zelevski, 100 foreign and Defence ministers and others. With a very hot political menu, on the second anniversary of the Russian aggression against Ukraine, a few months after the terrorist Hamas attack against Israel and other serious threats for international security, when the European and US elections are on the door mat.
Discussions in Munih certified the Rome aphorism “ if you want peace, prepare for war”; therefore, the democratic community should boost its actions in all areas for defence and war; the latter is only a matter of years. Only war preparations may deter and frighten dictators from any aggressive action. Therefore, as the french historian Nicola Tenzer says, the “diplomacy of war” is a MUST; i.e. “showing the teeth, the muscles, a demonstration of force and firepower”. There is no more sense for meetings, summits and peace proposals when the other wants to destroy you totally!
The past naïve policy has neglected the production of armaments when according to experts a war may break out in the coming 3 – 5 years. In that case Europe risks to lose for it lacks sufficient munition and armaments.
© 2024 Argumentum
