Kosovo must be freed from border agreement barrier

Voice of America: You have just returned from Kosovo and, as you have heard, the border issue with Montenegro is one of the hottest topics. Mr Haradinaj's government has sent the agreement to parliament to vote, but his own party has said it will vote against it. If the agreement does not pass to parliament, as many people predict, what would be the price Kosovo would pay?

Eliot Engel: First, I mean, this is not a single issue, but it involves many other things. I would like to see the normalisation of visas for Kosovo and think that would be something very good for young people and for all in Kosovo. I also know that the European Union has linked visa liberalisation to the border issue in Kosovo. It is complicated and, of course, Kosovo's elected leaders will have to decide. If it were me, I would have ratified the agreement to remove this obstacle once and for all time and to move towards really important things, such as efforts for Kosovo's membership in the European Union and for visa liberalisation, so that people can travel as in any other European country. This would pave the way for steps to be taken to integrate Kosovo with the European family. I am not sure whether holding fast to the border issue would be the way to do this, but I respect the Kosovo leaders' decision, however it may be.

Voice of America: Kosovo politicians have spent a lot of energy on this deal, and some coalitions have collapsed because of it. Is the importance of this matter being overblown? Because Kosovo has so many other issues facing...

Eliot Engel: I think you're right, especially about the fact that Montenegro is a friendly country and not an enemy and many things between the Kosovo government and Montenegro are resolved on friendly grounds. I think there are some things about which there are no concessions, but there are other things about which you take a stand and let go a little bit. I think that's exactly one of these issues. I understand this is a complicated issue for which people have strong emotions. I also know that an agreement has been reached before, so officials in Kosovo have agreed to border demarcation. But a difficult situation has developed. I would like to leave this case behind and move on to more important things. If it is not ratified, it will remain on hold and the European Union will use it as an element of pressure on Kosovo's head. That worries me a lot.

Voice of America: Is there another solution for Kosovo to secure visa liberalisation from the EU if this agreement does not pass to parliament?

Eliot Engel: I would hope there was. Of course, I will continue the effort and personally support the visa issue. But if that will have any impact, you should ask European Union officials. Based on the conversations I've had with them, it seems they're quite insistent that, first, the border demarcation be resolved. I repeat, however, that I understand people in Kosovo who feel they shouldn't. If you refuse something and are ready to face the consequences, then be it. The decision will be made by Kosovo leaders, but things would be difficult if this decision is not accepted.

Voice of America: Kosovo leaders have urged the United States to be more engaged in dialogue with Serbia. The United States is already involved in it, but you made the same call when you were in Kosovo. Do you see any signs of administration or State Department being more engaged?

Eliot Engel: No, unfortunately not. But I'll keep insisting on it. We have some problems with the State Department right now. The funds we have approved for it have been significantly cut, there are many senior officials who have served there with outgoing democratic or republican administration, are retiring, having been resigned after it was created in the demoralizing atmosphere. In the draft budget presented in Congress, the president has proposed numerous cuts for the State Department and for the Agency for International Aids UAID, cutting out programmes that are important for diplomacy. The whole role of diplomacy is for it to be successful in avoiding war. Leaving many top posts in the State Department, not appointing ambassadors to such important countries as South Korea, for example, removing people and not replacing them is a serious mistake. Unfortunately, diplomacy is not the priority of this administration. I would like our president and country to be more engaged in the Balkans. If we were not engaged in the Balkans in 1999, I don't know whether NATO would have intervened to stop ethnic cleansing and genocide. This was one of the proudst moments for NATO. But attitudes are now very different. I will continue to ask our leaders to have the Balkans, especially Kosovo on their agenda, but now their agenda seems to be cutting down on the State Department, which is a big mistake.

Voice of America: The Western Balkans today face many challenges, one of which is Russia's influence. Vice President Pence during the visit to Montenegro not long ago, said that “Russia works to destabilise the region, undermine democracies, divide countries in the region from each other and from the rest of Europe”. How concerned are you with Russia's role?

Eliot Engel: I'm worried. The statement you read from Vice President Pence hits just where it should be. The Vice President was a member of Congress. We served together at the House of Representatives Commission for Foreign Affairs. He is very serious when it comes to outside affairs. He knows the problems and supports the engagement of America. I hope he involves it as he understands the Balkans. But, of course, Russian influence is a major problem, not only in the Western Balkans but also in other countries. The Russians intervene in American elections trying to influence Donald Trump's victory, they try to influence elections in other countries, in democratic countries, allies with us, whether in Britain, France or Germany, or even in the Western Balkans. There are close ties between Russia and Serbia. This is very disturbing. When I met with President Vucic here in Washington, I mentioned this to him. That is also why the United States should have a greater influence. Our answer should not be to turn back and leave, or cut programmes and efforts in the Balkans. We have to double them. Kosovo and the United States, regardless of who was in power, Republicans or Democrats, have had close relations and our two countries have been very close. I have always tried and will continue to try to keep the United States alongside the people of Kosovo, alongside the Kosovo government. I'll be next to them. Prime Minister Haradinaj is a longtime friend, as is President Thaci. The link between our two countries must be strengthened and I will do everything I can to make this happen.

Voice of America: On Tuesday, the Russian government classified nine American media, including the Voice of America, as the <x0->agen foreign”. What's your opinion?

Eliot Engel: You should consider it a decoration. Every time the Russians say something negative about you, or anyone else, it's an honor. Russia is not used to having free press, media there is controlled. They do not want to understand the notion that we in the United States have free press, people have their own thoughts, left, right, pro or against something. It's ridiculous that Russia takes such action against the Voice of America and other media, like CNN and so on. This is typical of a totalitarian regime, with a totalitarian leader. Mr. Putin has become the richest man in the world and intends to check what the residents of Russia hear or do not hear. When I was last in Ukraine, eastern Ukraine, residents there said that the only thing they heard was Russian - language propaganda from Russia. This is what Mr. Putin wants. He doesn't want free movement of ideas, doesn't want different views. This is how he acts as a totalitarian and authoritarian leader. We don't accept this. The United States has been created on principles of democracy and freedom, free press, and free speech. These are all foreign to Mr. Putin. I wouldn't worry about the classification he made to the Voice of America, to honor him, I know you'll continue the good work you've done to tell people the truth and they can decide for themselves.