Britain vs exchange of territories seeks agreement within current borders

The British diplomat engaged in Kosovo, Ruairi O'Connell, in co-operation with Kosovo citizens on the social Facebook network, has provided answers to many political developments in the country.

The chief of the British office in Kosovo was, among other things, asked about the Kosovo Army, taxes on Serbian and Bosnian goods, EU access to Kosovo and Serbia, as well as dialogue between the two countries, and the recently trumpeted idea by Thaci and Vuciq presidents regarding the exchange of territories as a possible solution.

In the question on the borders, the British ambassador said the state thinks it is in the interest of both sides reaching an agreement, but within current borders.

The “is in each one's interest to reach a legal agreement on normalisation between Kosovo and Serbia, which we see as two sovereign and independent states, with friendly reports, and this agreement should be based on current borders. But whatever happens is vital for both sides to be seriously involved in reaching agreement. My advice to Kosovo is the same as it has been now and how many months it is very important that all agree on a negotiating structure that engages all in a final agreement that will be implemented according to EU rules and have the support of the people”, the British diplomat, OʹConnell, reports Koha.net.

Britain, according to him, does not have any specific deadline for when the Kosovo agreement should be reached -- Serbia -- but what's important is that the agreement is comprehensive, involving all issues belonging to Kosovo and Serbia “as if it is recognition of Kosovo by Serbia and we want the two states to move forward”.

This may look incredible today, but we have countless cases where two hostile states are friendly states today. We don't have to set deadlines, we don't have time to waste, and I think both societies should seriously engage”, O'Connell stressed.

He said Britain's position on the issue of dialogue between the two countries is clear: “should have a full agreement between the two sovereign states that we have recognised and we are friends with them on the basis of current borders. Britain is not a colonial force that will use its power against them, we are friends and we want to help both countries. The next step is to engage the entire political structure in dialogue, has been dialogueed over months ago, but no progress has been achieved, so we must engage all structures to have a” mandate, the British said.

The most numerous questions were those for the Kosovo Army and the position of the United Kingdom on this issue, where O'Connell said Kosovo has the right to have security forces.

The United Kingdom believes it is right of Kosovo to create its own armed forces. We continue to encourage Kosovo to act responsibly and transparently, and in consultation with NATO allies, and to respect its commitment to KFOR, including the exchange of 2012-1318x1> letters, OCEConell has said, Koha.net reports.

On the other hand, O'Connell has also been asked about the support Britain can provide to the Kosovo Army, specifically in military means.

The United Kingdom has supported the Armed Forces of Kosovo and the Kosovo Protection Corps over the years. We have had particular focus on training officers and sub-commission officers, who will be the core of this force in the future”, the British diplomat said, Koha.net reported.

He said Britain has worked in a host of other areas, which he thinks are of vital importance in Kosovo's development, such as rule of law, fighting corruption, against nepotism, economic development, democratic culture, and issues inherited from the past, and many other issues.

And frankly we appreciate our co-operation with KSF, but it's very interesting to me to ask if we're giving you military equipment. Are you really thinking that this is the most important thing Kosovo needs now?”, he stressed.

In a discussion with citizens on Facebook, O'Connell has also been challenged with the question of corruption and lack of war with concrete actions, as well as the question of why his state does not support individuals such as Albin Kurti of the VV or Vjosa Osmani of LDK.

I don't believe it's a good or stable situation when diplomats choose MPs or governments. We do not support and support anyone. Kosovo is a democracy and a democracy it is the work of citizens. So, if you want otherwise, you have to engage in public life and create public support for changes”, he said.

In terms of Europe's approach, or the European Union, in relation to Kosovo and Serbia, the British ambassador faced several times.

However, he gave diplomatic answers, not considering speaking on behalf of the entire EU, but only for the state it represents.

I won't speak for Europe, but I will speak for the United Kingdom. We view both as sovereign, independent, and neighboring states and we have good relations with both states. We treat the two countries equally on the visa issue. Kosovo has the right to have the army, and you have all heard the UK [United Kingdom] position on dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. But I also want to attack the idea that Europe is against Kosovo. Honestly, I don't think it stays. Europe is the second largest per capita investor in Kosovo through the European Commission, compared to any country in the world. I understand frustration, but the visa liberalisation bid has been made on the basis of goodwill, and the Schengen group has not only offered it to Kosovo fail. I know it can be frustrating, but we have always seen Kosovo as an equal member of the European democratic family. Sometimes diplomatic relations fluctuate low, but your country is in Europe like any other country, and I don't believe this can be contested”, O'Connell said, Koha.net reports.

He was asked to comment on the diplomatic fight Serbia is making against Kosovo, as are the requirements for attracting recognition of Kosovo's independence and others.

“We recognise Kosovo's independence and sincerely we react when other states in the region take actions that are destabilising or are against values in which they are called to respect”, he said.

The Briton, who has talked mainly in Albanian, has also spoken of reports between Kosovo and Serbia and the 100 per cent tax on goods coming from Serbia and Bosnia.

“does it help Kosovo and Serbia to have this cycle of provocations and reactions? The answer is no! What would help the two countries is a concrete agreement that allows the two societies to move forward in friendship. This is not easy and I don't want to ignore history or reality and say only one side has to move. But what Kosovo urgently needs to do is form structures, plans and strategies on how to engage. Kosovo's friends can't help you if you don't have these”, O'Connell said.

The British ambassador stated that his state understands the circumstances that have prompted the Kosovo government to make the tax decision on Serbia, and said they also realise that the Government of Kosovo has taken measures to ensure that there are no negative consequences in Kosovo because of the tax.

This means that we treat Kosovo as a sovereign and independent state, and we as an international partner expect the agreement they signed to be respected. I think it's very important for Kosovo to understand, 10 years after independence, that international friends are trying to help it, but Kosovo has to respect the rules. In this case, CEFTA has rules and mechanisms to respect. Kosovo has not had and should respect them if it wants to be treated as a serious state. But Serbia also must keep its obligations. Both sides must avoid acts that endanger security and increase tensions. In this case, the latest situation tells us one thing, which the current situation for relations between Kosovo and Serbia does not help anyone except those who are interested in lack of normalisation, that includes criminals and terrorists”, said the chief of the British office in Kosovo, Ruairi O'Connell.

Among other things, OʹConnell also spoke of the idea shared by commentators that the EU is willing to sabotage Kosovo, which he said “does not correspond to reality”.

“The EU needs stability, functionality, prosperity, security in Kosovo. Because without these, the EU would also suffer the consequences. The EU is not engaged in experiments. But my first reaction is this! I see you have doubts about the EU's approach. That's allowed, of course. But I would ask: What is the Kosovo proposal? It is difficult for Kosovo's friends to help if Kosovo does not have a long strategy, or negotiating structure”.

He has been asked, as with other times, about his heart team in football, Everton, that “will become champion in England this year”, which he has said would buy all Kosovo citizens with beer if that happened.