High hopes

The key factor was the European perspective. Fourteen years after the end of the Balkan war and NATO intervention against the Serbian regime of Slobodan Milosevic, Belgrade and Pristina return to cooperate for a shared future, a European future. The agreement signed in Brussels in recent weeks is indeed an important historical moment for these two countries, but there still a long way to go. Europe has expressed satisfaction, but it is now looking forward to the move from "theory" to "practice". "Europe wants the success of Serbia and Kosovo", said Van Rompuy, calling however on the two countries to "implement the agreement without taking shortcuts" in order to achieve "tangible results". Results are yet to be seen: the meeting in Belgrade between the local Government and Serb’s representatives in Kosovo on the adoption of the agreements with Albanian Kosovar authorities of Pristine led to inertia. There are great hopes for those who live in the area and who would like to break the political, economic and social deadlock; Monsignor Ladislav Nemet, bishop of Zrenjanin and general secretary of the International Conference of Saints Cyril and Methodius was interviewed by SIR Europe.What do you think of the agreement reached in recent weeks in Brussels between Serbia and Kosovo?"I think that it will lead to greater security within the region. When I talk about security, I mean peace between Serbia and Kosovo as well as a greater confidence in Serbia, which for days had been closely following the ongoing talks in Brussels, mainly because of the strong interest raised by the media. As we followed the events unfolding, we had the impression that everything hinged upon that plot of land, there, in the South. I have the impression that the negotiations were also used to cover the country’s disastrous social, economic and moral situation".What do the people think?"According to the latest polls, the public seems satisfied with the agreements that have been reached. The political parties and the Parliament have approved the document that came out of Brussels with an overwhelming majority".What will getting closer to the EU bring to your country?"I hope it will bring hope. Up until now, the prevailing impression is that nothing can really change the situation we are currently facing. More and more young people are leaving the country in search of happiness elsewhere. Here, happiness means jobs, employment and a future for their children. Official statistics paint a dramatic picture of the situation: I’m talking about 32% unemployment across the country, with peaks reaching up to 60% in some regions. We need a peaceful country which can implement radical changes through a decisive struggle against the massive, ubiquitous institutional corruption".Do you think some countries might place obstacles on the path of negotiations?"There are no doubt open questions on how the exact borders will be defined, on the problem of the people who disappeared in the in the Nineties’ War, on how public properties will be divided up and on the issue of minority rights. But these are just a few examples".What are the priorities now?"The first priority resides in the ‘cleansing of memory’ and a moral renewal of Serbian society. Only then we will be able to face new challenges in other fields".What future do you imagine for your country?"Being an optimistic person by nature, I hope that politicians will finally understand the real meaning of the term ‘common good’ and that they put aside their personal interests and those of their respective parties. I hope that the international community will help us to get closer to the positive values ​​pursued by the EU and that families here will accept the gift of life, because as it stands now, there are two abortions for every child born in Serbia. Therefore, there are high hopes".