The former NATO acting Secretary General, Alessandro Minuto-Rizzo, says that the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia is of great importance, while he considers important that the Euro-Atlantic institutions and friendly countries become more involved in the process in order to influence the parties to achieve good compromises in the interest of all. In an exclusive interview for KosovaPress, Ambassador Minuto-Rizzo says that: - The starting points should be the full recognition of the independence of Kosovo (from Serbia) and - on the other side - the recognition of the Serbian minorities (from Kosovo). He thinks that if the two main actors (i.e., Kosovo and Serbia) remain alone in their disputes, a serious progress remains difficult. Ambassador Minuto-Rizzo, who now heads the prestigious Institution of the NATO Defense College Foundation, also spoke about the importance of stability and progress in reforms that the countries of the Western Balkans region must demonstrate in order to accelerate the process of moving to Euro-Atlantic structures. He also stresses the need for Kosovo and Serbia should also be able to modify established positions, if they really wish to ensure a positive end game. Interviewed by: Fadil MIFTARI KosovaPress: There have been tensions in northern Kosovo in recent weeks. The leadership in Pristina and the one in Belgrade seemed to send threatening messages to each other, while the situation calmed down only after the intervention of the West. Given these developments, are there any security fluctuations in the Balkans? Ambassador Minuto-Rizzo: We have to keep in mind that the Kosovo-Serbia relationship is central for the Balkan region and is probably the key to major future developments in the region. It is also part of the process of inclusion in the European and Euro-Atlantic institutions. Recent events are not encouraging, because they don’t show progress and they are a strong signal that the relationship between Belgrade and Pristina is far from being normal. On the other hand, to achieve this normality is a priority. I think that it is important that the Euro-Atlantic institutions and friendly countries become more involved in the process in order to influence the parties to achieve good compromises in the interest of all. The starting points should be the full recognition of the independence of Kosovo and - on the other side - the recognition of the Serbian minorities; they should be considered full citizens with full protection. If the two main actors remain alone in their disputes, a serious progress remains difficult. KosovaPress: NATO has accepted new members in recent years - Montenegro and Northern Macedonia. But after the coming to power of other political forces in Montenegro, it seems that the West has reservations about cooperating deeply with Montenegro, especially on sensitive security issues. How disturbing is this fact for NATO? Ambassador Minuto-Rizzo: It is not for us to enter into internal affairs of Montenegro and North Macedonia. Those two countries have joined NATO at different dates following an open process of accession. They are on a democratic route and face different challenges that we all hope they will overcome. I believe that when serious problems arise, NATO remains ready to help Allies to solve them in a spirit of solidarity. KosovaPress: The recent European Union Summit for the Western Balkans in Slovenia concluded with encouraging statements by European leaders on the integration perspective of the Western Balkans, but no timeline has been set for when the WB6 states can join. Do you think that the lack of significant progress in the European integration of the Western Balkans in recent years affects regional security? Ambasador Minuto-Rizzo: The Summit in Slovenia is a demonstration that there is a renewed interest of the international community and of the EU towards the Balkan region, with a focus on the WB6. It is clear the that the final destination is integration. On the other hand, it is undeniable that this process is not easy for many well-known reasons. I think that it is normal that no precise dates were set. The reason being that it would become an obligation to respect them. The process of accession of each country will be based on specific merits according to specific situations and cannot be determined in advance. That said, it remains true that the European Union, as well as NATO, consider regional security to be of paramount importance. As a matter of fact, there are various initiatives underway by both organizations to ensure regional security in a broad sense. KosovaPress: How would you assess the role of Italy in the integration processes for the Western Balkans? The impression is that it is somewhere in the middle — not in the group of skeptical enlargement states like France, the Netherlands and others, but also not among the supporters like Germany? Ambassador Minuto-Rizzo: Italy has an historic interest towards the region. It is directed by geography, history, culture, economy, by intense exchanges. The country has been deeply involved, since the dissolution of Yugoslavia, with the aim of expanding stability and enhance a pacific regional cooperation. This has happened under the eyes of everybody. Italy continues to support the international community with a concrete added value. It has an historic relationship with Serbia; at the same time, it keeps a strong presence in Kosovo since a long time and has ensured the leadership of KFOR more than any other. I am sure that the country is not second to anybody in advocating the inclusion of the WB6 in the EU and NATO. Obviously, this is not a process carried out blindly and Italy is working together with like-minded countries towards this goal both in Brussels and in the region. KosovaPress: Many analysts were commenting that a change of administration in Washington would accelerate the pace of resolving the most important regional issues, mainly the Kosovo-Serbia dispute and the stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, we are still seeing a lot of problems in these areas. Are the EU and the US currently coordinated enough to move things forward? Ambassador Minuto-Rizzo: Analysts with a positive evaluation about the change of administration in Washington are certainly right. It is a good development with a visible change in the foreign policy of the United States. We see a renewed interest towards the region, to project stability, facilitate inclusion and the resolution of open disputes. In this sense it is correct to say that the United States are allied with the EU, as they are both following the same direction. On the other hand, it remains also clear that long standing problems cannot be solved with a magic wand. It is a duty of the countries in the region to take their responsibilities in order to play a positive role to defuse tensions and to work seriously towards regional cooperation. If local actors are not ready to show more flexibility and to make good compromises, it will be difficult for external players to have a real influence. KosovaPress: I want to ask you the last question, regarding the appointment of Mr. Hill as the US Ambassador to Serbia. Ambassador Hill is considered a bulldozer of advancing Western politics in the Balkans. Can Mr. Hill be expected to dynamics the negotiation process between Kosovo and Serbia in order to have an epilogue? Ambassador Minuto-Rizzo: The nomination of Ambassador Hill is welcome as this distinguished diplomat has a reputation for advancing Western policies in the region. There is no reason to doubt that he will use his skill to the benefit of security and inclusion. As far as the specific issue of negotiations between Serbia and Kosovo is concerned, it is impossible to predict its future outcome. Support will be there, but again I wish to stress that local actors should continue in their process of reform and should also be able to modify established positions, if they really wish to ensure a positive end game, in a long-term perspective beneficial to all. /Alessandro Minuto-Rizzo is an Italian diplomat who served as Deputy Secretary General of NATO from 2001 to 2007, and as acting Secretary General of NATO from 17 December 2003 to 1 January 2004, in between the tenures of George Robertson and Jaap de Hoop Scheffer. Currently he is the President of the NATO Defense College Foundation./