Former High Representative of the European Union in Kosovo Pieter Feith on Friday was a guest at a Dutch radio to answer questions about the political crisis in Macedonia. In 2001, Feith was a mediator sent by NATO to negotiate with NLA.
In the interview, Feith assessed that the recordings published by the opposition indicate serious abuse and crime by the government and demystifies allegations of ethnic destabilization in the country.
According to Feith, recordings published by the opposition “reveal terrible violations of human rights, electoral fraud, and so on.” He believes that the judicial investigation is necessary, and, at the same time, the parliamentary process should be restarted and tension should be avoided.
– Recordings show clear abuse of power, but the EU cannot state its opinion without a judicial investigation. Whether the judicial system in Macedonia can function independently or need international assistance is something that the EU should determine – said Feith.
He explained for the Dutch public that “negotiations mediated by the European Parliament are ongoing, in which there have been attempts to reach an agreement as to a transitional government involving all political forces and initiating an investigation.”
Asked about interethnic tensions, Feith said that it should not be dramatized.
– I talked to Albanian leaders I know from before. They have no interest in it. The news of the hostages (Goshince) may have been accurate, but maybe it was just a provocation. We need to continue to monitor ethnic relations, without forgetting the wider perspective: Macedonia should continue to follow the European path and restart reforms. The commission recommends accession negotiations to be initiated. It is an encouragement for reform. The dispute with Greece blocks the negotiations, although there are creative solutions on the table. EU is affected by illegal immigration, with Ukraine, and we can do without another hotspot in the Balkans 20 years after all the problems. Government of Macedonia should understand that they must cooperate with the investigation and mediation and to stop denying the facts – said Feith.
He welcomed the fact that all European institutions offer assistance in resolving the political crisis in Macedonia and make pressure on the government. But, he says, “there should be caution in order not to create resentment towards Brussels and thus push the country into the hands of Putin and others. It is a delicate diplomatic game.”
