The things that unite and share us with LDK.

Kosovo Vetevendosje Movement for Prime Minister Albin Kurti's candidate, says his party's problems with the LDK are “out of reach of”, and they are mainly related to the latter's co-operation with the PDK during the past term government.

In an interview for the newspaper Life in Kosovo, Kurti said Vetevendosje keeps its doors closed for The PDK even at the local level, despite any situation that could seek a coalition after the October 22nd elections. “Who is honest inside The PDK has the door open to us, but the coalition with that subject will not make”, Kurti said in the written-run interview.

While calling “ordinary” a meeting of him as prime minister with Serbia's head of state, Kurti calls Kosovo's “dead” Kosovo dialogue with Serbia mediated by the EU.

You've mentioned several times that LVV doesn't vote Kadri Veselin for Speaker Cavendish, but you can vote other names inside the PAN. Can you tell us besides Wessel, who are the other PAN deputies not accepted by LVV?

Kurti: The Constitutional Court Act of three years ago has practically consisted of PAN's veto to propose them to the Speaker of the Parliament. Then let them do it. But they're not. Neither does Wessel vote nor anyone else. This boycott of this institutional impasse is unprecedented. Now, it's not up to us to suggest names for PAN, since we are different subjects. We only talk about our subject, and it's not about us, it's about names, it's about standards. We will vote on that proposal, which meets the standards of acceptance by the parties, and is politically respected and intellectually. The Assembly Speaker's post is very important in a parliamentary republic like the work of Kosovo, so we will not vote on any suspicious, divisive figure, or someone who has no at least average cultural and intellectual formation. However, as to your question, when they propose to someone we will examine and express ourselves. It's absurd to think the most acceptable of all of us is Vessel. The opposite is true.

JnK newspaper: How are the talks with LAA? What is the matter with you? What is the matter with you?

Kurti: I think the question should have the opposite order, because it's more important than what unites us, and more insignificant what separates us. What brings us together is Kosovo's need for radical change. The capture of the state has made economic development impossible, fighting corruption, building democratic institutions, Euro-Atlantic integrations. The state - occupied octopus Tentacles have spread from the family economy to the middle and low to small and medium - size businesses that daily face bankruptcy. These have also seized courts from first to Supreme Constitution. Captives also have police and prosecutors, where some do not dare and do not even want to deal with the investigation into the arrest of large criminals. So there's a need for change and extinction, which makes us seek unity with all forces that resist PDK and SHIK leaders.

What separates us is certainly their story of co-operation with the PDK, but I think this is out of reach if today they show determination to move forward, as well as sincerity and loyalty in co-operation with us. When you are determined to move forward, you are stressed in common. When you're afraid of change or you're comfortable with the status quo, then you investigate to find differences.

Are you willing to go back to the election because of the Speaker's position and when you are aware that the cost to keep them is not small?

Kurti: This is a question to ask those who have the right to propose the Speaker of the Parliament, according to the Constitutional Court's unfair decision. If Kosovo were a normal country, the Speaker of the Assembly would propose the majority, so each group with 61 signatures. And if it were, be assured that there would be no need for us to go to the elections, because we would have the numbers and the candidate, and now Kosovo would have a head of Parliament. But today that unjust decision is in force, so the proposal can only be made PDK and PAN. They can't, because as they finally admitted, after three months of lies, Wessel doesn't have numbers, and by mistake he attempts to appear irreplaceable. On the other hand, The PDK is also afraid of going to other elections, because it knows it will get worse than it did on those June 11th.

In a hypothetical situation if we go to new parliamentary elections, will you compete alone or try to get a list of LDK, or invite to the pre-election coalition with the AAK and Initiative, trying to break off from the PDK?

Kurti: The Kosovo Assembly is considered binding as soon as its leadership is elected, so the chairman and vice president. So it can't be dissolved either by itself or by the President, so we can go to new elections. Consequently, there is no legal and constitutional key that would disrupt the current blocking of institutions by sending us back to the elections. In a hypothetical situation, however, this remains to be discussed at V's internal forums I can't decide on this alone. But our outcome on June 11th showed that even without a coalition voters believed us, making us the biggest subject. After June 11th, polls continue to show growth for us. So we are calm in this regard. Of course, we will consider any request that could come from both our membership structures and other subjects.

The JNK newspaper: Kosovo Assembly MPs are failing to constitutionalise the Assembly, yet the salaries are receiving it; Will the LVV deputies give up the MP's salary for August at least?

Kurti: LV deputies have been present at each session, and have been ready to work. We even invited him. If they want to run whoever they want, even Kadri Veseli, and see if they got their votes. But they have blocked the Assembly by not coming, and finally by coming, but by not proposing. So once again, it is not fair for one side to take responsibility for the actions of the other. I understand that some journalists briefly say MPs are guilty that the Assembly is not being held, but that generalization equates those who are blocking with those who are trying to work, and that everywhere would be considered injustice.

How do you see President Thaci's role in recent political developments involving the institutional and political crisis?

Kurti: He has clearly not remained impartial, as should be the role of the president under law and according to constitutional tradition. From the pre-election period until the delay he made in calling on the Parliament, he has clearly sided with the party he belongs to. This is not dignified, even though he does not seem to care deeply about dignity. I don't think he has the means to solve the crisis, because the crisis is solved unless The PDK leaves ways for most to create government and institutions. On the other hand, Thaci seems to be enjoying this Wessel crisis within him. This is still their business.

JnK newspaper: If the President invites leaders to a political table, are you willing to participate?

Kurti: I can't make such decisions without consulting the subject I belong to because we don't make personal decisions. On the other hand, these political tables are just justifying the delay. What is needed for the table now that it is agreed on by all sides that the PDK and PAN refuse to propose the candidate, that their controversial candidate has no courage to measure while refusing to be replaced? As long as the PDK gives way and the crisis is resolved, so I believe there is no need for a table here.

JnK newspaper: If what you're claiming happens, to be at the head of the government, will the Kosovo dialogue be continued, and in what form will that dialogue look like, what will be discussed?

Kurti: Kosovo-Serbia dialogue has been interrupted for more than half a year. Why should we resume that dialogue that has already died? Targeted journalists and analysts themselves have shown by their analysis how that dialogue has actually not brought any progress in relations between countries, nor has it brought integration of majority and minority communities. So why should a failed process continue, a failed model? We will immediately engage in Brussels, Berlin and Washington to start a dialogue with them on the issue of Kosovo's relationship with Serbia. Thus, dialogue with partners for resolving a problem with the opposing side, not dialogue with the opposing side where partners are placed as neutral referees. Ideally asymmetric and without national consensus in Kosovo, we have lost a lot of time, while Serbia has increased its appetites as if we are in time before declaring independence. To be even worse, because of this principleless dialogue, international factors no longer ask Serbia to recognise Kosovo. And for normal relations, we need recognition from Serbia. We also need recognition and apology for war crimes, which would also be followed by economic damages and returns to stolen documents and assets. These are the first steps of a possible normal and neighbourly relationship with Serbia, and can be realised with the assistance and persistence of Washington, Berlin and Brussels.

JNK: Being prime minister implies being willing to meet with personality that you would not have imagined before. In that sense, are you willing to meet with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic as Kosovo prime minister?

Kurti: You're asking this question, say you're talking about something impossible. Turnout in the Berlin Process of six Western Balkan prime ministers still unmembered in the EU imposes such meetings. In fact, meeting with Serbia's prime minister or president is the most common thing that each prime minister or Kosovo president has done so far, something that understands even the most pale imagination. As Kosovo prime minister, I will implement the protocol in international relations, where both sides will be present. However, I will perform at the highest level the interests of Kosovo and the Albanian nation within the rules of diplomacy.

The JNK newspaper: The Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo guarantees minorities key high positions in Government. The Serbian list has often expressed sceptical of a co-operation with you, scepticism has also seen in you. How will you deal with the Serb minority, what position will you offer?

Kurti: We will co-operate with the Serb community. There are politicians, even deputies of the Serb minority, who have complained and expressed opposition to the Belgrade dictatorship coming through the Republika Srpska List. So, we'll seek and find their cooperation. It is true that Belgrade is trying to build a political monopoly among Kosovo Serbs, but we do not have to recognise that monopoly in Belgrade. Kosovo Serbs are our fellow citizens, to co-operate with them, we do not need filters and external interventions. This does not happen to Albanians in Serbia, so it does not have to happen to Serbs in Kosovo either. We would immediately start with dialogue with Kosovo Serbs, dialogue this down, open, democratic, economic development and social progress. Kosovo's citizens' main proposals without national affiliation are employment and justice.

JnK newspaper: In which municipalities do you expect to win in local elections and are you open to coalitions in those municipalities that you will go to the runoff?

Kurti: The results of June 11th showed us that we can expect a run-off in 10 to 15 municipalities. But there may be surprises. There are large municipalities where, if they help us a little, we can win even without a run-off. The candidates for the mayor are fine, while I am disappointed by the candidates of other forces. For coalitions in the second round, we have time. One thing is certain, coalitions if done, not pragmatistic, but principled.

JNK newspaper: Will you coalition at the municipal level with PDK in municipalities where potentially The PDK will not be part of the runoff?

Kurti: We will not coalition with the PDK. Who is honest inside? The PDK has the door open to us, but the coalition with that subject will not be made. For now it is good for the PDK to remain in opposition and start a clean up and reform of itself. But you know that they instead of going through the length and breadth of what happened on June 11th and reflecting on the outcome, were thrown into aggressive attacks against LV and specifically against our government in the capital. In the PDK, there are many members at different levels that are for national unity and for social democracies, who are natives and progressives, they belong in Vetevendosje. The”Family, Property, State” is the black shirt that drops and su goes to them.

Whenever domestic elections are held at LVV for the party chairman, would you run to be the leader of the Movement you formed again?

Kurti: Right now, I'm focused on the matter of creating government, and we're trying to do most together with LAA. As you said, there are local elections and campaigns ahead, so right now I don't think I can take other responsibilities. For later everything will be discussed according to circumstances, always in consultation and respecting the opinions of V Movement members and forums I'm sorry. / Taken from Journal: Life in Kosovo