Individuals love power at all costs, afraid of prosecution

Deutsche Walle: Lady Ambassador Viets, the current political stalemate in Kosovo, where parliamentary sessions in turn fail to make you optimistic. Do you understand this political variable?

Angelika Viets: Yes, we can understand that very well, on the one hand, this situation remembers a lot about the summer 2014, even then we had early elections, but the conflict is essentially older. It brings you back in 1999, perhaps even before, face-to-face with hostile parties -- individuals hostile to each other -- that makes it very difficult to prescribe a solution. The crisis in the recent elections in 2014 was not overcome.

It seems none of the parties are leaving, what strategy is behind?

The parties are mainly interested in preserving power, and certain persons operating are not particularly interested in what will happen to them. Many also fear prosecution if not in power. We have a real situation right now, and we're even risking a long stagnation. The parties have so far failed to agree on a national agenda with consensus. It is egoisms that prevent politicians from thinking primarily about the fate of Kosovo and its citizens. This is a power struggle determined by egoisms.

On the other hand, the elections were free and fair, as appreciated by observers. Citizens for the first time voted, not on the basis of opportunity, as in the past, but on the conscience of reason. People in Kosovo have moved ahead of politics. We have also tried to advance the transformation of society with projects from Europe, the EU Germany and other partners.

Do you expect an exit from the crisis Thursday (10.08) when the new parliamentary session will take place?

No, I don't. Even if in the coming days and weeks the ruling majority would be reached, the 61 MPs needed, or 61 out of 120 deputies, it would be a unstable government, often even the quorum in parliament would not be achieved, so it would be difficult to adopt a normal law requiring only a simple majority.

But how could he get out of this crossroads, a sweeping government is also mentioned...

I do not see at the moment that parties that have joined a coalition can create a stable government in the long term. And unfortunately, the most likely scenario is a long phase of instability until new elections. This is not good for our agenda. Kosovo, unlike other countries, has little governing experience, now is building a modern Kosovo -- this is a painful process -- it takes its time, and apparently this time we have to give it to them.

You mentioned that the scenario of instability is not good for the agenda... what concrete consequences do these delays have for Kosovo?

Further delays in time will be implemented in the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, European agenda, concrete EU economic projects with Kosovo-that is not good. Even because of the status still contested for Kosovo, Kosovo is a special case among Balkan countries. Politicians in the country know that even because there are countries in the EU that do not recognise Kosovo, the road to the EU will be very long, so it is very difficult to maintain the will for reform. Our task is to strengthen this will, so we have created important initiatives like the Berlin Process to accelerate this transition phase and give impulses to regional co-operation.

The critical situation for Kosovo, where there are many open issues of dialogue with Serbia has stalled, the issue of demarcation with Montenegro has not been resolved, not to forget economic problems and unemployment in the country...

Politicians must unite on the Kosovo agenda, leave personal interests behind. Regarding the dialogue you mentioned, he is a political priority for us, but he has nearly a year and this dialogue has stalled. There are many deals that have been reached and not implemented, such as association from the Kosovo side and energy deals from the Serbian side. Besides these deals, we have a huge asymmetry. On the one hand Vucic who emerged strong from the elections has a strong party behind him, on the other hand we have a situation here, where power is divided among the three camps and there is no national consensus on any subject. The dialogue, as it has developed so far, without including the Kosovo Parliament to reach the needed consensus, cannot be thought of anymore.

Mrs. Viets, you complete your mandate in Kosovo for a few days. What's your balance for this time?

Political balance is quite mixed. Besides some successes, like signing a Stabilisation Agreement - Association or the effects of the Berlin Process, there have been topics that have failed. U n NESTO was a major failure for Kosovo. I retire with the impression that it has been three years of intense intensity, with many small and medium - size crises causing us to hold our breath. But it was also a pleasure, for international consultation, by the US, but also by Germany is required almost daily. I don't remember any other post where you can do so much, like in Kosovo. But because Kosovars have a tendency to give you full attention, critical distances must also be maintained. However, humility grows when you see what problems and challenges Kosovo must overcome.

What memories will you take with you when you leave...

There have been many personal encounters with very impressive people, but what has always touched me is that even when you go to a small village, strangers come, when they recognize that it comes from Germany to embrace without asking and saying “thank you Germany! ” I won't forget that!