Thaci: I have confirmation from Haradinaj that government forms without delay

Kosovo President Hashim Thaci said in an interview for Radio Free Europe that he has received confirmation from the winning election coalition (coalition PAN) and prime minister (Ramush Haradinaj) that the future Kosovo government will be formed without delay.

He said the “mandate issue is not a matter of preference, but of respecting civic legitimacy”.

Kosovo has the winning coalition that has emerged from the June 11th elections. I will respect the Constitution, the laws and decisions of the Constitutional Court in 2014, so I have confirmation from the winning coalition's mandate that it has secured sufficient numbers of MPs for the establishment of the new government”, Thaci said.

He said he is waiting to complete the process of certificate of election results and then to sit down with the political spectrum and jointly set the date of the new Government's constitution and establishment.

As far as the coalition mandate is concerned PAN, Ramush Haradinaj, fail to secure votes for forming the government and the possibility that Thaci would then grant the candidate mandate of the Vetevendosje Movement, Albin Kurti, President Thaci said he could neither predict future developments.

I don't want to interrupt. From the mandate (Ramush Haradinaj) I have confirmed that it has secured the votes. Under any circumstances I think a dialogue should occur between the political spectrum how to move away. I will only take legal, constitutional action without political influence”, Thaci said.

He voiced confidence that there will be no second mandate, and the Government will be formed in the first effort.

As for the role of minorities about forming the Government, Kosovo's president said that the inclusion of minority communities should not be seen as an obstacle, but as an asset.

According to him, all political parties must engage in internal dialogue, not reluctant to have contacts put on Serbian List, which is largely supported by official Belgrade.

New phase of dialogue with Serbia finalised with agreement

Speaking of dialogue with Serbia, President Thaci said that after five years of technical dialogue and reaching some important agreements and implementing some of them, the time has come for this process to move towards closure.

He said the new phase of dialogue means closing this process with a broad political agreement. “We have thought, in consultation with the European Union and the strong support of the US, that this process is advanced to a higher political level, leading to a normality of our relations, but also the reconciliation of our states and peoples”, the president said.

This new phase implies closing this process with a broad political agreement, a comprehensive agreement, and an agreement that will securely open Kosovo's Euro-Atlantic perspective, so that we can be part of NATO and the EU”, Thaci says.

Asked whether he would lead the dialogue with Serbia, President Thaci said that “naturally, based on constitutional and legal responsibilities, the country's president leads and co-ordinates foreign policy”.

Thaci also added that after the formation of the new Kosovo government, a broad team will be formed, including institution keepers, people from civil society and the media who will make up a team, which will lead this phase of dialogue.

Although it says the new phase of dialogue will be final, Thaci says he does not want to prejudge, which this phase will be closed with mutual recognition.

“I don't want to interfere, but I am sure that Kosovo will be affirmed at a new international stage”, Thaci says.

Responding to criticism from some political subjects for taking the primat in dialogue with Serbia, Thaci said he has constitutional responsibilities to lead Kosovo's foreign policy.

Rather, he feels that he would be irresponsible if he did not play that role.

“In this new phase of dialogue there will be room for all, for all institution bearers, Government, Parliament, opposition political parties, civil society, media, different thinkers and all who want to make their contribution”, Thaci said.

According to him, this phase will be shorter than thought.

I don't think years should be spent negotiating”, the president said.