Realpolitik “ Flash” No. 35
17 – 30 November 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.The dialogue on ” artificial coma”! Yes, despite diplomatic euphemisms, the dialogue Pristine – Belgrade continues to be “ on artificial coma”! But, 11 years after its initiation and minimalist results, as they say “ pilaf cannot hold more water ” i.e. time is up! Therefore, the USA and the EU have stepped up their diplomatic efforts in Belgrade, Pristine and elsewhere. There are more foreign mediators now; the EU, USA, UK, Germany and France have their own negotiators. Instead of real classic diplomacy, one notices “ the crisis and shuttle diplomacy” where eve,n the mediators are forced to be “ fire extinguishers” running up and down to put out flames…. As the meeting Vuçiç – Kurti in Brussels on 21 November showed, this dialogue is “stuck in the mud”. After 8 hours of hard negotiations at the presence of Borrell& Lajçak, the efforts to deescalate the tension in the case of serbian car- number plates in Kosovo failed. Vuçiç and Kurti did not even shake hands and look at each other. Only after two additional days of talks an agreement was found on 23 November in Brussels.
As noted earlier, the dialogue is in a crossroad and for the time being, there is no talk to reach a final agreement, but just to avert the flames of other possible crises. This is understandable, since the USA and the EU maintain their preferential terms vis à vis Serbia, treating it as the saying goes “as mother’s son” but Kosovo as “ stepmothers”! Hence, it is the time to put an end to thi practice. Let us hope, although as the odds are, it would be very hard to achieve something, at least in a foreseeable future.
2. Football upward, democracy downward in Qatar. It goes beyond doubt that the Football World Championship in Qatar is the most important planetary event of the last two weeks. Football is the magic that captures everyone. It brings together all, without distinction in joys and celebrations. However, Qatar this time is an international big trouble and head-ache with respect to the democratic values, universal human rights, tolerance, minorities, girls and women, various gender orientations and others. The problems started before with the inhuman treatment of workers that built the stadiums and other facilities, with the loss of nearly 500 lives as well; to continue with restrictions, prohibitions and legal punishment in the cases of exercising above-mentioned rights.
The debates for the symbol “ ONE LOVE” that was cancelled and other negative occurences have casted big shadows over this immense sport event. Moreover, the big fuss while representing and upholding these fundamental human rights and freedoms without any result for the West, starting with USA, Germany, UK, France sounds as hypocrisy and demagogy. Well, the fact that Qatar is not a liberal democray is common knowledge. But, apparently, economic interests, money and profits have undervalued the democratic values and principles. Otherwise, as many foreign media outlets underline, if western states were indeed interested in this regard, they could have insisted more at least for the ONE LOVE symbol or even to withdraw from this competition. A negative role in this respect was played by outstanding arttistic and sport personalities, FIFA and its President, Infantino. Unfortunately, apart from fading sport values and interests, Qatar will go down in history as an example which clearly shows that money and commercial gains can “ buy” not only gas and energy, as Qatar agreed to supply Germany for three years, but also democratic values, whistling them “ off side”. All other claims are empty words and a “storm in a tea cup”.
3. Climate between crisis and catastrophy is the outcome of COP 27 in Scharm El Scheik in Egypt. “ The “ saviours” as we qualified the 30.000 participants in the previous Real Politik did not justify the immense trust on them. Everything was reduced to establishing a fund to cover the cost&damages caused by natural calamities; however, even this important deal lacks deadlines and other details related to the amount and delivery. As to other measures to avoid the rise of temperatures over 1,5 grade and the reduction of CO2 gas emissions, apart from words and pledges, there is nothing concrete in the basket.
Accordingly, the general opinion on COP 27 is “ too little and too late”. Because the world and climate are between crisis and catastrophy, with little hope on politics. This was a sharp blow for the green movements which have produced many expectations thanks to their immense commitment. The most noticeable was undoubtedly the German Foreign Minister, Mrs. Baerbock, leader of the Green Party in power; but she returned home empty-handed and disappointed. Par consequence, now even the attainment of the targets defined in the Paris Climate Agreement 2015. Hence, COP 27 is reduced to “ much fuss about little”
4. Open Balkans “ non – grata” in Brussels! This can be certainly said after the EU Parliament adopted with a voting majority on 23 November the Resolution on the EU Enlargement Process to Western Balkans. It did state its open opposition to Open Balkans, as non-inclusive and which leaves aside the EU values and interests. This was a hard blow for its initiator, official Belgrade, since it put its “ both feet in a shoe” as we say in Albania. With the firm demand on the EU Member States to assess Serbia’s accession progress on the basis of its progressive attitudes towards Russia, aligment with the EU Policy, the political will and progress in the dialogue with Pristine.
Hence, after Berlin and Paris dismantled it on 3 November in the Berlin Process Summit, ”Open Balkans” was also proclaimed ” non – grata” in Brussels, as the “ EU capital”. Certainly, this is not good news for our governing majority, which was expecting this “ non – grata for former President Berisha. Despite this Brussels “snap in its face” Tirana continues mule-headed to ignore it and what is the worst, it does not want to listen even to Brussels and other capitals, even now, on the eve of the first EU – Western Balkans in Tirana on 6 December. Everything else, including ceremonial anniversary events are simply festive, fokloristic policies and empty words.
© 2022 Argumentum
