Kosovo Government pays for lobbying ten times more than Serbia

For the purpose of intensified diplomatic activity about ten million Dollars have been collected ‘what is ten times more than the money being allocated by Serbia', as ‘Blic' was told by sources from Serbian Foreign Ministry.

Belgrade is following this initiative with utmost attention since significant increase in number of countries recognizing Kosovo ‘would have negative effects on political atmosphere in which the ongoing negotiating dialog is taking place'.

The period until the end of September filled with large number of important multilateral meetings with participation of majority of Islamic and African countries that have not recognized Kosovo ‘shall be critical for Serbia' according from the sources from this ministry.

Kosovo media reported in recent days that ‘Pristina is on the way to finalize official strategy for lobbying' and that ‘the chief protagonists of the forthcoming several-month mission are Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga, the first Deputy Prime Minister Bedzet Pacoli and Foreign Minister Enver Hodzaj'.
As ‘Blic' learns Serbian diplomacy has been informed by ‘friendly messages' that Pacoli has secured half of the requested money, i.e. five million Dollars, while the remaining five were provided by the Albanian Diaspora. Pacoli has been already on tour to Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

It is also generally known fact that diplomatic representatives of America, Great Britain and France are permanently engaged on lobbying for Kosovo independence since the International Court of Justice had made its advisory opinion last year.

Serbian Government is primarily relying on regular diplomatic activities, the Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic and Serbian diplomatic representative offices worldwide than on engaging individual lobbyists abroad.

In Europe Serbia has not engaged a single lobbying agency for its policy. In the USA the Government has engaged the ‘Advanced Practical Solutions LLC' from Chicago for one million Dollars yearly.

As PR with media Serbia has engaged ‘Jay Footlik'. According to American sources the Foreign Ministry is paying this agency 281,420 Dollars.
Until so far 75 countries have recognized Kosovo.

‘A very difficult period in which increased pressures is going to be made on countries and international institutions to recognize Kosovo is ahead of us. It is very important for us to resist those pressures using all legal and diplomatic means. Until so far we have managed to achieve success not expected by many', Vuk Jeremic, Serbian Foreign Minister says for ‘Blic'.

‘This action shall not improve Kosovo position significantly since Kosovo cannot become member of the UN without decision by the Security Council. Also Kosovo cannot sign the Stabilization and Association Agreement with the EU without approval by five EU countries that have not recognized Kosovo. It is possible that this action is aimed to diminish negative effects of Dick Marti's report over human organ trafficking which is to be debated by the UN SC.

It is pity that Serbia is not using more some other reports in its favor such as the one by the International Crisis Group which concludes that partition of Kosovo would not have negative effects on Bosnia/Herzegovina and Macedonia', Vladimir Todoric of the Center for new politics and also member of Foreign policy council of the Foreign Ministry says for ‘Blic'.