James Rubin for N1: It is a time of great hope in the Balkans

N1

US Special Envoy James Rubin told N1’s Newsnight show that “It is a time of great hope in the Balkans.”

Agreement between Serbia and Kosovo gives the possibility of ending the time of conflict and disagreement, and pain and suffering, and moving to a brighter future, a future where children can grow up with a normal life instead of spending their days and nights worrying about who did what to whom, said Rubin.

The former Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs and Chief Spokesman for Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright will be visiting the Western Balkans over the next few days.

Rubin said the information age has brought many benefits, that we can see what is happening around the world.

Unfortunately, digital technologies also brought a lot of dangers and in the Western Balkans in particular we have seen Russia mostly and China poisoning the information environment, we have seen the pollution of information environment, and information manipulation, said Rubin.

Noting that he intends to travel the region, the US official said it has been 23 years since he last visited the Balkans, on behalf of the United States government, and that the subject matter of his current visit is a serious one.

The media environment is polluted and poisoned by disinformation, primarily from Russia, he said.

There is a terrible war going on in Ukraine, Russia has tried to use disinformation and lies about their war even while their military is attacking and killing civilians in Ukraine, destroying their energy system, attacking schools and violating rule no.1 of international affairs, “thou shalt not invade thy neighbor,” said Rubin.

Stressing that he knows the damage that can be done by media manipulation, he said he wants to work with governments that want to be part of the European system, respect European principles. We want to try and do all in our power to eliminate the pollution of the media environment, he added.

A lot of time has passed since the wars in the Balkans, said Rubin, adding that he is happy to see that the governments and the peoples have put those wars behind them and that effort is being made to normalize relations.

He said the US welcomes the agreements the European Union has been working on to provide an opportunity for Kosovo and Serbia to develop normal relations, to develop an ability for peoples in both countries to live together side by side, to recognize each other’s symbols, to give minority rights, ensure freedom for the people living there and move forward so that both Kosovo and Serbia can be part of European institutions.

The US official said it is a time of great hope in the Balkans and that an agreement between Serbia and Kosovo gives the possibility of ending the time of conflict and disagreement, and pain and suffering, and moving to a brighter future, a future where children can grow up with a normal life instead of spending their days and nights worrying about who did what to whom.

“I understand how difficult it is. Although it was a long time ago, war can bring painful memories. I would suggest is that if people want a prosperous future, they have to look ahead and not spend their time arguing about the past,” said Rubin, adding that he believes it is possible to achieve this, but that it will be extremely difficult.

“It will require leadership and brave decisions on the part of leaders. The leaders need to speak the truth to their people, everyone doesn’t get 100 percent of what they want, you can’t get your way completely, you have to learn to compromise,” he said, noting that the European Union led negotiations aimed at normalizing relations between Serbia and Kosovo are an opportunity, and that everyone will have to play their part.