Expert Foreign policy performance, Donika Emine, has confessed how the interpretation of Serbian nationalist song, which denies Kosovo’s citizenship, occurred during the opening of the European Union’s Enlargement Forum in Brussels, naming the event scandalous and extremely problematic.
In a statement on Telegrafi about the event, Emini indicated that prior to the opening of the forum she had attended a closed-door meeting with European Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos, where the goal was to establish a network of women for European enlargement.
According to her, the event was organized to address the issues of the Western Balkans and had started with an emotional moment through a mother’s speech from Srebrenica.
Emini has explained that, later at the opening of the forum, the performance of songs by candidate countries and those involved in the EU enlargement process was preceded.
The orchestra had performed songs from various lands, while some had only instrumental association. However, the situation changed when Kosovo’s turn came.
When we go to Kosovo, the title of the song, which was very problematic and was then interpreted only instrumental, Emini indicated.
She has said the singer had performed the songs of other countries, including Serbia’s, but in the case of Kosovo he had not sung the text, despite the singing title.
According to her, this caused confusion and a serious atmosphere in the hall, while participants from Kosovo and Albania remained shocked by what happened.
I’m shocked, I’m out right now and I’m out of the hall. As I leave, I have spoken to other participants from Kosovo and have sought to know who had chosen this song and who was responsible, she has declared.
Amy said that, according to information she had received, Commissioner Marta Kos had quickly understood what had happened after she knew Serbian and had seen the title of song.
However, the foreign policy expert has stressed that she does not know whether the event was co-ordinated with the commissioner’s office or whether the responsibility belonged to someone else in the organization.
She has particularly described the way Kosovo was treated in this activity, raising doubts even about the political message that could convey such an act.
It seemed that this song was chosen to please the list of students present and that the next day they will have an important space to address the audience, Amy said.
It has warned that if such action was done by the commission or by someone within it, with the aim of improving relations with Serbia, then it would constitute a politically harmful step for the European Union, Kosovo and the region.
In this context, Emini has also mentioned the legalisation of war criminals in Serbia, linking the interpretation of the song to the nationalist approach that, according to her, continues to be present in that country.
The expert has indicated that the next day it was envisioned to participate in a panel for meeting with the past and reconciliation, but the event had forced her to completely review her opening word.
It has been in a dilemma whether to participate in the panel or boycott it, but has estimated that the platform, where diplomats and representatives of EU member states will be present, could be used to address the issue before a broader audience.
In the end, Emini has stressed that public reactions are not enough and that the case should be addressed at the diplomatic level, adding that Marta Kos should apologise to the people of Kosovo.
She has estimated that the incident is even more problematic for the fact that it happens at a time when Kosovo and the European Union are trying to refresh and improve their relations. /Telegraphy/