Deda: Time for Belgrade-Pristina agreement

In an interview for Tanjug, Deda expressed belief that Pristina will sign an agreement if one is reached, noting that whatever the agreement no one will be able to say they have won. The time has come for the biggest chapter in the relations of Belgrade and Pristina to close, and for each side to turn its attention to itself and the development of its society, said Deda. He stressed, however, that the negotiations should not be rushed or limited by dates, and least of all stopped if an agreement is not reached by April 16. At the same time he noted an agreement does not mean the dialogue can end, because many open issues will remain. Deda also criticized the behavior of Brussels, noting that the EU was initially not interested in being part of the process. It is good that key EU member countries have come to understand that the EU needs to oversee the negotiations process, he said, stressing that the EU also needs to bear part of the responsibility if an agreement is not reached. Deda said that according to the information he has, some kind of comprehensive agreement will be reached, and noted that Europe cannot afford to suffer another defeat in the Western Balkans after 20 years of problems. He did not explain, however, on what his conviction that an agreement will happen is based, as he commented on Belgrade's demand for more authority for the community of Serb municipalities in Kosovo by reaffirming the position that Pristina has stood by. No one in Pristina can agree to broad authority for the association (community) of Serb municipalities, especially when it comes to the police and judiciary, he said, adding it would mean introducing a third level of government, which is against the Kosovo Constitution. I do not know how the Kosovo government would explain this to the public and how they would make this legal, said Deda.