“There are no easy solutions for peace. All the decisions that take us forward are difficult and have a political cost. Fighting nationalism comes at a cost. Dealing with immobility has a cost. But it’s worth it,” stressed former Prime Minister A. Tsipras, speaking at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on the Bakoyannis Report “On Kosovo’s integration into the organization”.

In his intervention, made on behalf of the Group of the Left, Al. Tsipras underlined that it is an important fact that the integration of Kosovo is on the table and this has created a new dynamic since he finally decided to implement the decisions of the Constitutional Council Court for the Detsani Monastery.

“But I want to be clear that this cannot be enough to support his inclusion in the Council of Europe. Since the application for membership two years ago, we have seen very serious tension on the ground. Sometimes because of Belgrade, but also sometimes because of the decisions of Pristina”, pointed out A. Tsipras.

As he underlined, there should be steps regarding the law on the expropriation of minority properties as well as submission of proposals for the establishment of the Union of Serbian Municipalities, including a Road Map.

“Frozen conflicts don’t stay frozen forever. If disputes are not resolved on the basis of international law, stability is undermined day by day and nationalism grows, until the conflict turns violent again. The strategy of procrastination in negotiations – “kicking the can down the road” – is good for building political careers, but it comes at a cost in people’s lives and their future,” stressed Alexis Tsipras.

The entire intervention of Alexis Tsipras in the discussion of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on the Bakoyannis Report “On the integration of Kosovo into the organization”:

I would like to thank Dora Bakoyannis for her Report.

There are many positions in this Chamber – including in my own Group of the Left – on whether or not the accession of Kosovo at this time contributes to the achievement of the objectives of the Council of Europe.

As you know I have fought for peace, stability and development in the Balkans. And there are two things I’ve learned.

First, there are no easy solutions to peace. All the decisions that take us forward are difficult and have a political cost. Fighting nationalism comes at a cost. Dealing with immobility has a cost.

Secondly. This cost is worth it. Because it can make the difference between war and peace.

Frozen conflicts don’t stay frozen forever. If disputes are not resolved on the basis of international law, stability is undermined day by day and nationalism grows, until the conflict turns violent again. The strategy of procrastination in negotiations – “kicking the can down the road” – is good for building political careers, but it comes at a cost in people’s lives and their futures.

So I agree that today the accession of Kosovo is on the table and this has created a new dynamic. And on this basis, Kosovo finally decided to implement the decisions of the Constitutional Court on the Detsani Monastery.

But I want to be clear that this cannot be enough to support its inclusion in the Council of Europe. Since the application for membership two years ago, we have seen very serious tension on the ground. Sometimes because of Belgrade, but also sometimes because of Pristina’s decisions.

Furthermore, more importantly, there should be action on the Minority Property Expropriation Act. As well as submitting proposals – in good faith – for the establishment of the Union of Serbian Municipalities, including a Road Map.

We cannot build peace with abstract commitments nor with one-sided and bad “solutions”. Finding common diplomatic ground to resolve a dispute while protecting your national interests is a difficult road. But it is the only way to our common future. It is the only way for a country that is truly strong and believes in its future.

Politicians must have the political will to achieve progress, even if it means sacrificing some of their political capital.

I have spoken several times with Prime Minister Kurti, who I believe has very important political capital with his people, which he needs to build on. As President Vucic should do in Serbia.

This is how peace is built in our region. This is how peace is built in Europe.