A change in “approach and mindset” for the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue from the international factor, could lead to the recognition of Kosovo by the five EU countries that still do not recognize it, Professor Edward P Joseph of Johns Hopkins University in Washington says in an interview for Radio Free Europe.

According to him, there are serious efforts for Kosovo to secure recognition from the five EU states: Spain, Romania, Cyprus, Greece and Slovakia.

He says that a signal for this is the statement of the American envoy for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, given to Kanal 10 television on October 19, that “recognition by the five non-recognizing EU states is the most important that Kosovo can receive from any process”.

At the same time, adds Joseph, “we have unconfirmed reports, but reports that the Franco-German proposal puts the recognition of Kosovo by the non-recognizing EU states at the center”.

This proposal, in which Joseph is called, has been circulating in the media in Kosovo for a month now and it is said that it aims to facilitate the solution of the problems between Kosovo and Serbia.

Among other things, the proposal envisages that Serbia should not hinder Kosovo’s membership in international organizations, in exchange for faster EU membership.

The proposal, according to reports, does not mention mutual recognition between Kosovo and Serbia, but the recognition of Kosovo by the five non-recognizing EU states.

Kosovo declared its independence in 2008 and the International Court of Justice found that it does not conflict with international law.

Joseph says that the five non-recognizing EU states, until now, have given an unfair advantage or power to Serbia to block Kosovo in the dialogue for the normalization of relations.

“When you take power away from Serbia, you create the opportunity for what everyone wants. A fair [balanced] negotiation. Nobody wants to humiliate Serbia, but the goal is a fair negotiation”, says Joseph for Radio Free Europe.

He adds that these recognitions would end “the game of Aleksandar Vuçiç”, president of Serbia, who, as Joseph says, claims that he “wants a fair compromise with Kosovo” and that he “is a partner of the West”.

“[When recognition by the five EU countries is achieved] the recognition of Serbia will be inevitable and less important,” says Joseph. (Radio Free Europe)