British Politician Alicia Kearns Describes the Situation in the Balkans as Deeply Concerning

Alicia Kearns (Photo: YTPrintScreen)

Alicia Kearns, the chair of the British Parliament Foreign Affairs Select Committee, has said that the process of normalizing relations between Belgrade and Pristina must be founded on fairness and equitable treatment of both parties, which, according to her, is not the current approach being taken by the EU and US.

“There is a clear desire from the international community to support both Serbia and Kosovo to resolve current tensions and move towards peaceful coexistence. However, if the normalization process is to proceed, it must be based on fairness and equitable treatment of both parties – that is not the current approach being taken by the EU and the US,” Kearns said in an interview with research and publishing center Demostat.

Kearns also said she had discussed with Kosovo Premier Albin Kurti the creation of an Association/Community of Serb-majority Municipalities, adding she hoped that a solution would be found, but would “require understanding and compromise on both sides, a de-escalation in rhetoric and a sincere engagement in the EU-led discussions.”

Kearns is one of several dozens of European and American parliamentarians who sent a joint letter to officials of the US, Europe and the Great Britain this summer, requesting from them to review their policies on Kosovo and Serbia.

Earlier in the British Parliament, Kearns made claims about arms smuggling from central Serbia to Kosovo, also involving the Serbian Orthodox Church, which have provoked fierce reactions in Serbia.

In the interview, Kearns stressed that the current situation in the Balkans was deeply concerning to many MPs across Europe and beyond.

Asked to comment on Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic’s reaction to her claims, in which Vucic called her “a lobbyist for Kosovo” and announced “an investigation to see who is financing her,” Kerns said “it is unbefitting of a head of state to issue such threats.”