“The idea of a Greater Serbia is trying to be realized through the platform of the "Serbian World". All these issues make Serbia an unfinished state, because it still has territorial aspirations in Bosnia, Montenegro, and Kosovo. With its fragility, it is also undermining the stability of the Western Balkans,” has said the Albanian Deputy in the Parliament of Serbia, Shaip Kamberi.

In an exclusive interview with Albanian Daily News, Kamberi said that the holding of early elections, has continuously been a weapon with which the president of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic has threatened the opposition. “However, we have to wait for the next developments to see more clearly in which direction Serbia will ‘navigate’.”

MP Kamberi is of the opinion that there is a greater feeling towards the problems of the Albanians in the Presevo Valley in the US than what the EU shows. “In Washington DC (Capitol Hill or State Department) they have expressed full interest in our position and the demands we have made. I can say that we have promises that the US will support our rightful demands, while the EU has been a little more indifferent. In the written communication I had with Mr. Borrell and Mr. Lajçak, they hold the position that the problems of Albanians should be part of the agenda of Serbia's integration into the EU and not part of the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue.”

In the meantime, according to him, it is already apparent that Serbia is trying to build in the North of Kosovo not only an autonomy for the Serbs there, but also a political-legal mechanism through which to continuously create opportunities to destabilize or defunctionalize the Republic of Kosovo. “In Kosovo, it is reasonable to fear a "new Republika Srpska". The example of Bosnia is very clear about what would happen then.”

Touching upon the 14 May local elections in Albania Kamberi is of the opinion that there are always winners and losers in elections. There may be disappointment because some people expected more from one or the other camp, but I think that the final result is also a consequence of the situation which has been reigning in the Democratic Party (DP) for a long time. Success can only be achieved by a well-structured political entity without internal crises. This is the last bell for a revival for the DP,” said the Albanian Deputy in the Parliament of Serbia, Shaip Kamberi in the following interview:

Albanian Daily News: First of all, I thank you for this interview, which is an opportunity to learn more of your thoughts regarding the latest developments, especially in the Presevo Valley, but also in Serbia, especially after several criminal incidents with many victims in Belgrade a few time ago. Is it possible to have early elections in Serbia in the face of popular anger when there were demands for the resignation of President Aleksandar Vucic?

Presevo Valley MP in Serbian Parliament Shaip Kamberi: The holding of early elections, has continuously been a weapon with which the president of Serbia, A. Vucic has threatened the opposition, which, as a matter of fact, he helped in the last elections by reducing the general threshold to enter the parliament from 5 to 3 percent.

Threats to hold elections, therefore, are Vucic’s open weapon which he has used several times and has sent Serbia to early elections many times since 2012. We must wait until May 26, when it was announced that the rally would be held with massive participation in which Vucic will communicate to the public, as he says, "big decisions".

It remains to be seen if it is just his bluff or he will really send the country to elections to prove his wavering trust, to discipline that part of the opposition that has got out of control. Recent incidents have shaken the faith in his invincibility. There are some reports that resignations have started in the local branches of his party. However, we have to wait for the next developments to see more clearly in which direction Serbia will ‘navigate’.

As for the new elections, the position of the international community (EU and US) should also be seen, because if they are held, it is more than clear that the process of the journey to the EU will be completely interrupted, while the fulfillment of the obligations that emerged from the dialogue with Kosovo, respectively the obligations from Ohrid meeting, will be terminated.

- Mr. Deputy, you have publicly stated that Serbia, as an "unfinished state" does not even know its borders yet. What do you mean by this and how does such a thing influence relations with Kosovo but also with its other neighboring countries? Following this idea, can there be stability in the Western Balkans when, according to you, Serbia, one of its regional countries, is in "the process of formation"?

- The reports of relevant international institutions describe Serbia as a "hybrid democracy", with unstable democratic institutions, with a controlled judiciary and media, with tense relations with its neighbors. Today's Serbia has never made a discontinuity with its dark past. No one has ever accused Milosevic of the wars started by him; on the contrary, there is criticism of Milosevic because of the lost wars.

The leading political elites are accused of being connected to crime, of not distancing themselves from war crimes, and of glorifying criminals convicted of crimes against humanity. The idea of a Greater Serbia is trying to be realized through the idea of the "Serbian World". All these issues make Serbia an unfinished state, because it still has territorial aspirations in Bosnia, Montenegro, and Kosovo. With its fragility, it is also undermining the stability of the Western Balkans.

- How successful have you been in your attempt to include the issue of the Presevo Valley in the talks between Kosovo and Serbia, and without revealing any secret, how has such a request been welcomed from the EU authorities but also from those of the US?

- To be honest, I think that there is a greater feeling towards the problems of the Albanians in the Presevo Valley in the US than what the EU shows. In Washington DC (Capitol Hill or State Department) they have expressed full interest in our position and the demands we have made. I can say that we have promises that the US will support our rightful demands, while the EU has been a little more indifferent. In the written communication I had with Mr. Borrell and Mr. Lajçak, they hold the position that the problems of Albanians should be part of the agenda of Serbia's integration into the EU and not part of the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue.

It is especially interesting this attitude of Mr. Laj?ak, because he is not only an emissary for the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, but also "for other issues in the Western Balkans". We think that one of the "other" issues that will help build lasting peace in the Western Balkans is the position of the Albanians in the Presevo Valley. However, we will continue to raise awareness of vital issues in the Presevo Valley, insisting on the same treatment and standards of Albanian population as others in Serbia.

- Recently, it has been said that the government of Kosovo, and more specifically its head, Albin Kurti, has suggested the 'Croatian model' as an alternative to the Association. In your opinion, why was such an alternative chosen and what was the reaction in Serbian circles to this? On the other hand, is there a possibility that the EU can take such a model as a basis?

- It is already apparent that Serbia is trying to build in the North of Kosovo not only an autonomy for the Serbs there, but also a political-legal mechanism through which to continuously create opportunities to destabilize or defunctionalize the Republic of Kosovo. In Kosovo, it is reasonable to fear a "new Republika Srpska". The example of Bosnia is very clear about what would happen then.

On the other hand, Kosovo is in such a situation that it is required to respect the agreements signed earlier (2013) and it has been a target of pressure for this. In this regard, I think that Prime Minister Kurti is trying to offer a solution to this situation through the existing models, which do not violate the sovereignty or territorial integrity of Kosovo.

From our point of view, the problem lies in the fact that aspirations to build exclusive models only for the Serbian minority in Kosovo are harmful to long-term peace in the Balkans.

- Do you think that the Pristina authorities should be more cooperative with countries like Croatia regarding the dialogue process at this stage because not only does this country have experience in the issue of minorities, specifically with the Serbian one, but it is also a friendly country towards Kosovo, but Albania too?

- It is natural that Kosovo should deepen existing friendships and build new friendships, not only to solve issues in the dialogue, but also to strengthen its international position by becoming a member of international and regional mechanisms.

- Mr. Deputy, how do you consider the agreement reached in the last round of talks between Kurti and Vucic in Brussels regarding the clarification of the fate of the missing Albanians, who were victims of the Serb genocide in the period from January 1998 to December 2000?

- Any agreement agreed and signed by both parties is welcome. In fact, the main problem lies in their implementation. Even in this case, we will see the will of Serbia to clarify the fate of the disappeared by violence to finally give their families the missing satisfaction.

It must be said that Serbia should also start the process of criminal prosecution of all those who were involved in these crimes.

- The trial against four former Kosovar leaders continues in The Hague. What is your opinion about this issue and do you think that little is said and written about it?

- I believe that the main goal is to tarnish the just war of the Kosovo Liberation Army, the war that was waged against Milosevic's fascism. I hope that the accused prove their innocence.

- In conclusion, please, what is your opinion regarding the latest local government elections in Albania?

- There are always winners and losers in elections. There may be disappointment because some people expected more from one or the other camp, but I think that the final result is also a consequence of the situation which has been reigning in the Democratic Party (DP) for a long time.

Success can only be achieved by a well-structured political entity without internal crises. This is the last bell for a revival for the DP. Albania needs a strong and constructive opposition. A state with a consolidated democracy cannot even be thought of without a strong opposition.

At the same time, I congratulate the winners of the elections, wishing that the goals expressed in the electoral campaign come true because this is the interest of all citizens.