Thaci: Those with a reserve for border correction, let them show what is the alternative

He has also talked about the recent phase of Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, saying the idea of border correction removes the risk of partitioning Kosovo and creating any “Republika Srpska”.

According to him, border correction opponents have no idea -- no alternative -- that would ensure recognition by Serbia and EU, NATO and UN membership.

In this interview, Thaci has also talked about transforming the KSF, referendum in Macedonia and elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

 Has your visit to Wyman been aimed at provoking Serbia, because the coffee you drank there for a little bit did not cause war considered that Aleksandar Vuciq set up the army in a state of war?

 Hashim Thaci: I am the president of independent and sovereign Kosovo and moves throughout the territory of my state whenever I wish. Weiman is a very important asset of the Republic of Kosovo in the energy and agricultural sense. It has always been and will remain the property of Kosovo. I don't need to get or ask permission from anyone to visit parts of my country. In fact, it's the opposite. When Vuciq wanted to visit Weyman and Mitrovica, he asked my permission to visit and took it. Because, without my permission, Vucin would never enter the territory of the Republic of Kosovo. The situation is clear. Kosovo is an independent state and Vucinic knows that very well. I extend my hand for dialogue and understanding, but not for provocations on the part of Serbia. I did not know that my boat ride in Weyman poses a threat to security against Serbia, which after that put the entire army in a state of highest combat alert. To me, it was a beautiful and wonderful autumn day and I wanted to take a boat walk. I found Serbia's mobilization and the military in a state of combat readiness ridiculous.

In view of Vuciki's response and his call to Putin and the Americans, but also NATO Secretary General Jen Stoltenberg, as well as Chancellor Angela Merkel, has anyone contacted you to exercise pressure on you?

Hashim Thaci: No one ever contacted me. Nobody said anything. Everyone knows nobody can stop me from visiting my country's territory. That's my constitutional and legal right. There's no need to ask permission from anyone in the world. But even if I was contacted by any of the world leaders, I still wouldn't have interrupted my visit. They've only had jobs with Vucinqi to stop his military threats and weapons games, not my civilised and cultured visit.

 How were the Serbs expected in northern Kosovo?

Hashim Thaci:They've been waiting for me so wonderfully, I even got coffee. We've talked honestly and openly, and there's not even the smallest incident. There was no provocation. The whole thing was Serbian President Vuciq's paranoid.

 Why has President Vuciq reacted that way?

Hashim Thaci: He always introduces himself as a victim. That's why he always raises tension in situations like Serbs are under attack. All that he does is due to the interests and benefits of domestic politics. He well knows he cannot attack Kosovo. Had he intervened militarily in Kosovo, he would still have to wage war against NATO. I think he's not that stupid.

 With President Vuciq in Brussels, you have held a series of demarcation talks, which has been interpreted in various ways. What does correcting the borders mean, northern Kosovo for the Presevo Valley or something entirely different?

Hashim Thaci: Kosovo's independence has recognised 116 world states, meanwhile, Kosovo is a member of over 200 world organisations. Unfortunately, we face the Russian veto to join the United Nations. On the other hand, the European Union has clearly revealed to Kosovo and Serbia that we must first solve bilateral problems to pave the way for EU membership. I have to be completely honest and say that the dialogue between me and President Vuciq is not going on because we love each other. I hate those meetings and I always get headaches. But it is in the interest of the state to build peace and understanding. Today, Kosovo and Serbia are blocking each other instead of making it easier for each other to travel to Europe. And for the possibility of agreement between Kosovo and Serbia, the US and the EU are also committed. My current commitment and commitment is focused on closing the peace agreement, which means mutual recognition, and it included the demarcation and correction of about 400km of the border we have with Serbia. What are the benefits for Kosovo if the peace agreement is reached? It's mutual recognition. Kosovo opens the way to NATO and EU membership, while the five EU member states that have not yet recognised Kosovo will recognise it, and then open up the path to membership in the Council of Europe, as well as the possibility of removing Russian veto for membership in the United Nations. Of course, Serbia will not recognise Kosovo as a Kosovo gift, but also, before all, it is focused on its European perspective. As for border correction, I support it. There will be a historic overhaul of the border so that Presevo, Medvedja and Bujanovac can join Kosovo, but under no conditions can we talk about Mitrovica, the Weyman and Trepca. Of course, it will be a process of understanding, a peace process and a bilateral agreement. If President Vuciq and I agree to peace agreement, no one could be against it. Much more dangerous has been the restructuring of the border between East Germany and West Germany after World War II than today. The same is true of the demarcation of the border between Czech and Slovakia and then the Netherlands and Belgium. I'm also following the demarcation between Croatia and Slovenia, I know there are numerous criticisms in that process, as there is from my idea of demarcation between Kosovo and Serbia. With my idea and proposal I avoided partitioning Kosovo, as well as establishing an association of Serb municipalities, which in a way would be a “Republika Srpska” in Kosovo, which would be completely out of place in the Republic of Kosovo. We're not gonna let this happen. Wrong is the approach of those who compare Kosovo with Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bosnia and Herzegovina is a completely different, more complex and older problem and will be more difficult to solve than Kosovo's problem. I have also talked about the demarcation with representatives of Montenegro and Macedonia who support and encourage me to reach the peace agreement with Serbia, which would result in mutual recognition. If the Kosovo issue is precedentd, it will be a positive precedent, in no negative way. In the event of reaching agreement, we will by no means risk friendly states in the region.

Almost all EU member states have rejected your idea of demarcation, considering it a dangerous precedent? Even Kosovo Prime Minister Haradinaj is rejecting such an idea?

Hashim Thaci: Some of my EU friends have reservations about my idea. But my question to them is, What is the alternative? Do they have ideas or a choice? They don't! On the one hand, they are seeking reconciliation between Kosovo and Serbia, while on the other hand, they have no idea how to bring about that reconciliation. For already 11 years I've been urging the remaining five EU member states to recognise Kosovo, but that hasn't happened yet. If it comes to the agreement between Kosovo and Serbia, four EU member states have promised me right away to recognise Kosovo. Because, when Serbia recognises Kosovo, then no one has any more reason to recognise it. The debate in Kosovo, for and against my idea, exists as in any other democratic state. I think that's healthy for democracy and institutions, but for society as well. In the end, we will again be united for EU membership. My idea is not the idea that I love so much and here I would like to be called into principle, but I want to be pragmatic, because it opens the door to the Euro-Atlantic journey of my country, but always by maintaining multiethnic character in Kosovo and that borders are not on ethnic grounds.

 All the time you're talking about what Kosovo would gain, but what will Serbs gain in return and what are they looking for?Hashim Thaci: I've introduced my idea and my project, but I can't speak on behalf of Serbia. They still haven't put anything on the table. In any case, the agreement will be comprehensive, and we will also talk about missing persons, the issue of the Serbian Orthodox Church, property, economic development, the possibility of the return of displaced persons to Kosovo and numerous other issues.

A fierce controversy is recently under way, not only in Kosovo but also in the world, following the law on transforming the Kosovo Security Force into a professional army. Do you support a proposal Such Given that Kosovo and Serbian media have written for your debate for and against?

Hashim Thaci: It's just a matter of months. We are working on adopting an adequate law and believe that this law will be available by the end of this year. There will be new forces, multiethnic forces, which will consider gender representation and NATO standards. Like any sovereign country, we have the right to have our own army. After all, we had armies before the country. But we had to go through some transformation procedures. I've never been against, I'm the very initiator of the idea of establishing the army. But we must work in co-ordination with the United States of America and NATO, because we do not need an isolated army, but an army that will be integrated into NATO. So it's a gradual process in co-ordination with our partners. If I were against the Kosovo Army, I would be insane. In the end, I am the supreme commander of the Kosovo Army, here in my office is my first uniform.

How satisfied are you with the overall political, economic and security situation in Kosovo?

Hashim Thaci: Kosovo is a state that is moving into a transition like other countries. It is going through a process of economic development, we are expecting to join Interpol as soon as possible so that the visa liberalisation process can be completed in the coming months. We are working on reforms in justice, health and other state institutions. The priority for us is for minority rights to be respected objectively. Our biggest problem is unemployment. We have to work hard in that direction and that's our present priority, but in the future. I'm really pleased because the story about Kosovo is a success story.

How did you comment on the referendum on changing Macedonia's name?

Hashim Thaci: The agreement between Macedonia and Greece is the only right path, which can ensure Macedonia's Euro-Atlantic future. I have followed the developments closely and have noticed that public opinion in Macedonia has not been well prepared for something like that. Macedonians are hostages of the nationalist feeling of how long ago, and this holds them hostage to the future. I recently visited Macedonia and Kosovo has given full support to their agreement with Greece. We have called on all Albanians living in Macedonia to make it massive in the referendum, which they did. I think, however, this is the first testimony to the agreement's approval, which should not now be stopped. Progressive and progressive forces will join and continue that process in order to complete, because otherwise the price will be great for Macedonia and its citizens. Whoever comes to power in Macedonia will not be able to take this country's NATO and EU membership proposal off the table, because Macedonia's stability also constitutes stability of Kosovo.

 How did you comment on the elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

 Hashim Thaci: First I want to thank Mr. The statement of his recognition of Kosovo, because he has said exactly what a leader in Bosnia and Herzegovina should say. Today, Kosovo-Serbia relations are more constructive than Kosovo-BiH relations, which is absurd. All of this is happening because of Dodik's threats to Croatian and Bosnian representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina's leadership. I understand that the decision of headship must be taken with consensus, but it is unfair that representatives and Croats in Headship do not openly support Kosovo's independence. Not without reason, Dodik has caught them and will continue to pick them up.

How do you assess relations and co-operation with Croatia?

 Hashim Thaci: Relations between Kosovo and Croatia have been, are and will be of strategic interest. Kosovo Albanians, for whom we are deeply proud, have given their blood for Croatia's freedom and independence, fighting against common evil. Once, Croatia is among the first states to have recognised Kosovo's independence. The roots of our cooperation are deep and no one can affect our relationships. Our desire is to join Croatia and become EU and NATO members. As for the economy, I think co-operation will be even better, and for Croatian investors to come to an even greater number in Kosovo, as well as Kosovars in Croatia.

You're talking about good relations with Croatia. Have you recently come up with your initiative for the Croatian minority to have its representatives in the Parliament?

 Hashim Thaci: With the constitution changed, the Croatian minority, but also the Montenegrin minority will have their representatives in the Assembly. Now that all other communities in the country have their own representatives and it is unfair that the same do not have Montenegrin Croats.

 Do you fear Serbia's new provocations, which could cause ethnic conflicts in Kosovo?

Hashim Thaci: Serbia's trials will never stop, be they mediatic or political, but I don't believe there will be any more military provocations. If Serbs ever try to provoke or try to do anything militarily, as yet, will be lost. The loss will be felt more in Belgrade than on Kosovo territory.

Are you tired of politics, and do you intend to withdraw? Can early parliamentary elections occur due to disagreements with Prime Minister Haradinaj?

Hashim Thaci: I'm not tired of politics, politics is tired of me. I'm in politics for two decades now, but I'm in the best years. And as my country's citizens give me confidence, I will remain in politics. Citizens' trust gives me constant energy. I can say that I have lived through two vital goals that are also the historic goals of Kosovo and Kosovars, and that are the liberation and independence of Kosovo. My third goal is membership in NATO and the EU -- the goal that is much easier, but that requires that we show wisdom and patience. I consider my political experience important for Kosovo society. But what I can tell you and accept is that I will never go back to the Parliament again, as I will not even go back to the political party. If you change the way the president is elected, and instead of voting the Parliament to vote on citizens, then he will run and surely win the trust of the citizens. I don't want to be part of the political games anymore. I want to lead the state with the support citizens give me, not political parties through mathematical calculations in the Assembly. So far there is no indifference that will have early elections, because the coalition is stable and I believe the government will carry out its mandate until the end. In all democratic states, there are cases of differing views between the president and the prime minister, and that is perfectly normal.