Bold steps to Europe

Kosovo's independence declaration triggered a debate on the legitimacy of international borders. But an agreement with Belgrade may yet be reached

·         Vuk Jeremic

·         http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/mar/28/vukjeremicserbiakosovo

Five weeks ago, the provincial authorities in the Serbian province of Kosovo unilaterally and illegally declared their independence. Around 30 countries have recognised this illegitimate and destabilising act, setting back the region's European membership perspective.

The vast majority of UN member states are not following suit, uncomfortable with a precedent that is making the international system unstable. International law has been grossly violated, and a revival of the global debate about the legitimacy of internationally recognised borders has been triggered. This needs to be addressed, not wished away. For there are clearly dozens of Kosovos throughout the world, happy that an attempt has been made to legitimise unilateral secession in the international system - and pleased to have been provided with a detailed plan on how to achieve success. Accordingly, many existing conflicts may escalate and new ones could be instigated. Already the recognition of Kosovo has increased the danger that the doctrine of imposing solutions to ethnic conflicts will be legitimised, that the right to self-determination will be transformed into an avowed right to independence. Recent events in Kosovo, triggered by Pristina's unilateral declaration of independence, suggest that the situation is dangerously close to escalating beyond control. It is important to realise that we are all in this together, and that we must find a way forward together.

The first step requires talking to one another honestly and respectfully. We have to address the real life concerns of the province's most vulnerable, and we have to pay attention to the human cost of our actions. The alternative is a frozen conflict solidified by entrenched, maximalist positions that only perpetuate the continuation of defensive, self-preservationist moves that drive us further apart. We must therefore work to instil the confidence necessary for all the western Balkans to once again take bold, historic steps to full EU membership.

This brings me to the second step. Serbia's president, Boris Tadic, spoke recently of his willingness to sign the stabilisation and association agreement with the EU immediately. Were that to happen, Serbia and the rest of the region would be put back on the EU membership fast-track, justly gaining entry into one of the world's greatest political projects.

The third step involves the tricky question of the future status of Kosovo. Sooner or later, responsible stakeholders will realise that it cannot achieve sustainable prosperity without Belgrade. Once this sinks in, an opportunity will be created in which, perhaps for the first time, a true negotiation can take place between the parties - one that leads to a mutually acceptable compromise.

This will not be easy. But the alternative is for Kosovo to remain in limbo, unattractive to foreign investment, unresponsive to the rule of law and unable to control its freefall into failure.

The formula for success revolves around finding a way to satisfy the right of Kosovo's Albanian community to substantial self-governance while remaining under a common sovereign roof with Serbia. Anything less than that constitutes a fundamental threat to our democratic development, the European future of southeast Europe and the legitimacy of the international system that has brought unprecedented prosperity to the world since 1945.

Serbia is ready to take all three of these steps, because we believe that Serbs and Albanians must find the courage to act in wisdom and in conscience, propelled by a hope that beckons us on in this time of trial. To build on this hope is a bold and solemn purpose. It requires men and women confident in their strength, compassionate in their hearts, clear in their minds and steady in their vision. The time is ripe for daring.