Political parties find formula for Kosovo to give a stable government

Voice of America: Mr. President, it's been two weeks since the certificate of election results on June 11th and you haven't called the Constituent session yet. When will you do that?

President Thaci: Because of the creation of a more operational consensus of the political scene in Kosovo on Monday, I have called on the entire political spectrum of political parties represented in Kosovo's next parliament to develop a formal consultation and then, I as president of the country taking into account their will, to set the date of the Kosovo Parliament's constitutionalisation. This innovation is not any innovation, it has been a tradition in the past, so I hope it will happen Monday and immediately the date of the Kosovo Parliament's constitutionalisation will be set.

Voice of America: Some of the political parties have warned they will not participate in this meeting?

President Thaci: I believe it is in everyone's interest to be part of the meeting and consultancy, to give their opinions, is responsible to their electorate and the citizens of Kosovo. The electoral race has already ended and we have to work as both president and political parties, so that in the most effective way we can achieve a common language so that we can be as organized and prepared and this process can begin and end up in compliance with the constitutional legal deadline.

Voice of America: Mr. President, some of the representatives of political parties and civil society have accused you of dragging off the constitutional hearing you're favouring the winning coalition, which includes your former party. How do you respond to such criticism?

President Thaci: I am president of the country and do not favour any party or coalition or individual, nor against any party, coalition or individual favour. I have not defined the constitutional and legal deadline. It is defined by constitution and law, all MPs have voted earlier in Kosovo's parliament, so I, prior to all my commitment and action, have the constitutional and legal deadline, it is not my will, it is the constitutional right.

Voice of America: Mr. President, you are expected to appoint a warrant for forming the next government. Is there any criteria that must be met for you to give the mandate to form the government?

President Thaci: On Monday, we will have a meeting with political parties represented in Kosovo's parliament, released by the June 11th elections, going with the Kosovo Parliament's establishment, then mandated the candidate for forming the government, which is also the regular constitutional and legal deadline for which we will be very precise and very precise. Then we will see that within them the responsibilities that you said, and the prevailing principles, will be the principle of having stable governments, Euro-Atlantic leadership governments, multiethnic governments that promote and protect Kosovo's constitutional spirit and constitutional order. To address high national responsibilities, democratic and constitutional policy to complete the border demarcation process with Montenegro as preconditions for visa liberalisation. Also, it will be a government to take responsibility and pledge to quickly establish the association of Serb majority municipalities. I think this should be a commitment to unify the political spectrum in order to move as quickly as possible towards the European perspective. Also, the future government must be committed to continuing democratic reforms, whether in politics, economy or justice. To continue then with electoral reforms, because electoral reforms must definitely take place in Kosovo, whether in the election of the president directly or in the general election system, because we cannot always have elections and then have winners, create circumstances of uncertainty or political drive. I think it should dominate the wisdom of the political spectrum of a fair and constructive dialogue that produces a good reform that then facilitates the creation of institutions, not that it makes it difficult. Another principle that will be for Kosovo's future government or institution keepers is the continuation of talks with Serbia, which would lead to a major political agreement meaning the full normalisation of Kosovo-Serbia relations and possible reconciliation, as well as the construction of good neighbourhood with all countries in the region. The next and dominant principle will be the overall commitment to the quickest establishment of the Kosovo Armed Forces to integrate into NATO structures as the precondition for continuing the Partnership for Peace and then NATO partnership. Also, the principle will be strong support to be given commitment to complete the Kosovo-New Kosovo thermal power plant process, which is a very powerful investment for Kosovo and necessary. And support for the Special Court. But I have to point out that under these prevailing principles, one of the main principles will be within my discretion and mine, is that people who have used and resorted to violence for the realisation of political goals will not be hosters of institutions of the Republic of Kosovo. Then another principle should be the strong commitment to the fight against organised crime, corruption, in the fierce battle we have to develop against any kind of extremism that is Islamic or terrorism that can be presented when it is known that Kosovo is the goal, so we must be very committed to working together in this direction.

Voice of America: Mr. President with most of the principles you highlighted, are you looking for comprehensive government or a broader coalition?

President Thaci: We have this election result, now it's in the will of political parties what ruling formulas they build. The good news in the country would be to find the formula the country gives to a stable, functional and effective government, multiethnic and to make decisions that move the country forward, rather than governments blocking or isolating the country. So in this direction, I want to hope in the good will of the political spectrum and invite everyone to come up over the interests of day power and think about the interest of the state and a broad platform that unites the interests of the state. While, of course, there are also commitments that are faced between the majority and the opposition, but some of the priorities I've really mentioned should have a consensus of the political spectrum to move forward. Otherwise, a single party will not be able to move things forward, so leaders of political parties and parliamentary parties who are represented in the Kosovo parliament are ahead of a major challenge to think and put the interests of the state first and foremost, then the interests of the individual, group or political parties to be second. I hope this happens and it has to happen.

Voice of America: Mr. President, one of your principles says that those who have carried out attacks on institutions cannot take the leadership of the state. Is this about the tear gas period in Kosovo parliament?

President Thaci: I am not prejudiced against anyone as an individual or as a political formation, but the use of violence for political purposes conflicts with the constitutional spirit, constitutional order, with the law and our past and our Euro-Atlantic future, but also as democracy in Kosovo.

Voice of America: Mr. President, we are going through another topic dealing with talks on normalising relations with Serbia. You have already been involved in this process together with the president of Serbia. How do you plan to move this process forward?

President Thaci: I think it will be an easy process, what we will work on in Kosovo to create a broader basis for the engagements of the political spectrum, civil society, media and institution carriers, all those influential in public opinion that can give their contribution in order to be prepared and to have a completely transparent, very responsible process, always respecting our sovereignty, constitutional and legal order and that an agreement could be reached for the full normal normalisation of Kosovo-Serbia relations and reconciliation between our two countries. I know it won't be a very applauded process for us to participate in this commitment, but I'm aware it will be in the interest of the country. So I see people of good will in Kosovo who want to contribute, and I want to point out that without good neighbours, Kosovo and Serbia will not be able to move, even we as Kosovo directly NATO and the European Union, but Serbia also towards the European perspective. I think the leaders of the two countries are paying attention to this significant process that we are going to overcome, while it is Mrs. Mogher and the EU's full pledge to lead this process, but we also have the strong commitment of the United States that they will support reaching an agreement to normalise Kosovo-Serbia relations and reconciliation.

Voice of America: Is there any deadline for concluding these talks on normalising relations with Serbia?

President Thaci: What we discussed last time in Brussels was what we need to think about first and premature ideas so that we can be prepared for the start of this process in late summer or early autumn.

Voice of America: Your involvement in these talks has been criticised by some political parties in the country, who say it does not belong to you because of the lack of competencies to make decisions. How do you respond to these objections?

President Thaci: These voices I answer with him to read the constitution and the laws of Kosovo. I represent Kosovo's foreign policy as president and represent, lead and co-ordination, while on the other hand, I would have to be criticised if I did not participate and responsible. I only fulfill my constitutional and legal obligations. But I am glad that some of those critics have already made a commitment to being already part of this process.