Kurti talks Serbia's speed up negotiations, diplomatic scandals, government halting

Serbia is rushing into negotiations with Kosovo because it wants to round up as long as Moghrin is still in his position, as long as Thaci is not charged, while LVV has not yet come to power, and, while Kosovo has not yet army, says Vetevendosje Movement Chairman Albin Kurti.

Kurti in an interview for Portal Koha.net speaks of normalising Kosovo-Serbia relations, but, says, to normalise Kosovo needs to change Kosovo, and to normalise Kosovo's relationship with Serbia, Serbia must change. According to Kurti, Kosovo President Hashim Thaci is in trouble with his own destiny and does not see hope in the rule of the law according to the Russian model, but also describes it this way: “Wuchiqi took him to Putin, while Putin returns him to Vuciqi, playing with Thaci as with Pinging pong<18x1>.

It says the opposition is more than ever ready for elections and that there is co-operation between them in the future, as it says, in government.

Movement leader, among other things, says the idea of independence has remained without political institutions. Haridinaj gave 8,200 hectares for the prime minister's seat. Thaci gives the north to the president's seat. The chair territory, in both cases”, he says.

And Haradinaj's work at the top of the executive, describes him as with many scandals. It singles out the first scandal that he says started with dealing with criminal from the north Milan Radojciq for coalition with the Serbian List, but also mentions a series of, as he says, “scandals that stop”.

The meet on Serbian and Bosnian goods, Kurti calls “the latest patriotic revelations” of the Kosovo government, and for that, says that preparation has been missing and it is not right for the people to pay the price. It requires also subsidy measures to ensure that the price of bread will be returned.

Kurti says there are hopeful messages regarding visa liberalisation. Kosovo, he says, deserves to have liberalisation but says that “we should explain to each citizen that, when you are ruled by thieves, by ignorant people and people who turn the black page to themselves and their country, you cannot expect good treatment from the European Union”.

Time.net) Mr. Kurti, what we're seeing recently is that the failure to observe plenary sessions in the Kosovo Assembly has been frequented. How do you evaluate the work of the Assembly in general, and what do you think is the way out of this situation?

Albin Kurti: The President is boycotting the Parliament and Government. The government is boycotting the Parliament. Because they're fighting the opposition. They've ruined state institutions after they caught them and choked them. Only they have a place left. And, there they have fallen, they have not the majority, they have remained a minority government, what is making the parliamentary republic dysfunctional as is the independent state of Kosovo. Their behavior toward institutions can be described in two words: contempt and plunder. Such disrespect to the state of Kosovo cannot be done by anyone who loves this country.

Pacolli diplomacy too weak

Time.net- The last one that failed was the extraordinary session called to discuss failures and scandals in Kosovo diplomacy. This failed in the absence of deputies primarily majority and Prime Minister Haradinaj's minister Pacolli's deputies. How do you see Pacolli diplomacy?

Albin Kurti: Too weak even when it's not bad. Little knowledge, no culture, negative preparation. Because even for membership in INTERPOL they lobbi like this international trade forum.

Time.net) You as the leader of Vetevendosje have proposed a four-step alternative to talks with Serbia. Say there would be more prepared talks on a sustainable solution. How long do you expect these steps to be taken into account by the local political spectrum?

Albin Kurti: I don't believe in a fair, stable, long-term solution without these steps. First, review and assessment of the government's 38-page report on 33 dialogue agreements 2011-2017. There are 21 weeks since it has been brought to the Kosovo Assembly, but it is not allowed to enter the parliamentary agenda for the plenary session. Step two: The clear and precise definition of our state goals that we translate into the list of requirements for Serbia. That's easy to get to the national consensus. After these first two steps, new elections are needed for new institutional and political legitimacy. Step three, this in the seventh legislature: principled platform. And step four: the negotiating team with credit leaders and relevant strategies. But how can we deal with bad and wrong people? It seems Haradinaj as prime minister left the dialogue to Thaci as president under their deal of scrapping the state budget and contesting its territorial integrity.

Time.net- Even international friends, but also the local political spectrum, constantly call for a consensus about dialogue. What is preventing this consensus from reaching you? Who are the culprits?

Albin Kurti: Firstly, Kosovo is not a democratic country and is a captured state. Freedom House 2018's report defines Kosovo as a hybrid, partially free regime. The report uses thg word “gist-author”. Then, this year's report “State Grasp in Kosovo through the political economy of Zavor” published by KDI and Transparency International Kosova find that the situation in Kosovo cannot be described simply as “only corruption” because, in fact, it's the “thecate of the state”. The guilty are criminalized and blackmailed, so it is not easy to deal with them. In fact, they agree with Serbia more easily than with us the opposition. These criminalised politicians make demands on each other and on the opposition, but not on Serbia. Second, I think that compared to Serbia, more important is the legal and political power of our state than the size of our interparty consensus. When the country's down on the ground the first thing you do is don't get into negotiations without getting up and getting ready. Serbia is rushing into these negotiations, because it wants to round up as long as Moghrin is still in his position, as long as Thaci is without charge, while LVV has not yet come to power, and, while Kosovo has not yet military. Any hurry is really educated by Serbia's haste.

They're playing Thaci with a ping-pong ball.

Time.net- Mr. Kurti, do you believe in normalising relations between Kosovo and Serbia, or how do you see the end of dialogue?

Albin Kurti: Various European politicians and diplomats, especially Germans, say Serbia cannot enter the EU without accepting Kosovo's independence. Various world institutions, especially Americans, predict Kosovo will join Albania in the near future. Zayednica has practically been brought down by the people of Kosovo and the Constitutional Court of Kosovo. Meanwhile, let us not give the territory of our country to Serbia. To normalise Kosovo needs to change Kosovo. But to normalise Kosovo's relationship with Serbia, Serbia must change.

Time.net- Recently, Kosovo President Hashim Thaci met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. You've charged him. What do you think they might have discussed among themselves, beyond what Thaci said, about Kosovo-Serbia relations? Why do you think this meeting between them took place right now?

Albin Kurti: Putin hates Europe and wants to share it according to the model of his idol Stalin. Thaci wants to replace Germany with Russia in Kosovo's foreign policy and its geopolitical and historical orientation. Having trouble with the fate of itself, he looks, not to rule the law according to the European model, but to the autocratia where politics is above the law according to the Russian model. Vuchy took him to Putin, and Putin returned him to Vucinqi, playing with Thaci as with ping pong. Travels by plane and stays in Thaci hotels for talks with Vucinqi would have to be paid from Serbia's budget, not Kosovo budget.

Those who had left Vetvendosje Kurti S'u say good way, it's not like that.

Time.net) Let's go back to the Parliament job. How's the opposition working? Suppose, with LDK, are there more points that unite you or are you divided into opposition?

Albin Kurti: There are more points that unite us. Our reports are correct and cooperative. We regularly cooperate in the Assembly. In my opinion our steps could be a little faster, but the steps back we did not.

Time.net- When we are in collaboration between the opposition, what is your co-operation with the PSD? Do you see opportunities to cooperate with this political subject? In recent statements by the figure inside Vetevendosje, a approach of PSD with power. You as the leader of Vetevendosje, how do you see this? Do you anticipate any greater approach between the PSD and the Government or otherwise?

Albin Kurti: To enter Mrs. Sosa Jashari didn't need to get into Movement V. - Yeah. Similarly, to enter the government doesn't have to be in the opposition, does it?

Time.net- If we can get back from Vetevendosje, how do you see it today? Do you see that you and others within the Movement could do something different to keep the party invincible, or, would you do anything different if you could turn back the clock?

Albin Kurti: The exit of those deputies from the LV has not been a last-minute decision. They're out because they knew where to get in. I wish you good guidance. I can't tell you the right way because their way isn't.

Time.net- Is Vetvendosje's prestige hurt by this breach?

Albin Kurti: Not at all. Those who left the LV have added to our political experience, while they have stripped themselves of popular support.

Time.net) Many disappointments are expressed with the current central government. But how much do you think the opposition is ready for new elections?

Albin Kurti: We're as ready as ever. When the elections won the PDK, she often wanted them. Since LVV's victory in the June 11, 2017, they no longer want elections. It's not random that CEC is dysfunctional today. MPs in the Kosovo Assembly and asambrists in the Municipal Framework cannot be replaced by this sabotage that the president is making to the CEC.

Haradinaj's scandal counts Kurti

Time.net- When we are at central government, how do you assess Haradinaj's work at the top of the executive? There has been a joint effort among four political forces with acronym V LAN a few years ago to make Prime Minister Haradinaj have fulfilled the expectations you had of him?

Albin Kurti: The idea of independence has remained without political institutions. Haradinaj gave 8,200 hectares for the prime minister's seat. Thaci gives the north for the president's seat, while pretending it is for Kosovo's seat at the UN. The chair territory, in both cases. Kosovo's Statistics Agency has announced that this September 2018's trade deficit is up 20% higher than that of September 2017. The export/import report is 1/8. On the other hand, 1/3 of the population don't have easy access to health care, or they have only limited access because of lack of money, meanwhile, 18% of the population does not require services in case of illness, for economic reasons. Government scandals and Ramush Haradinaj as prime minister, stop:

It started with deals with criminal from the north Milan Radojcik for coalition with the Serbian List.

He continued with Minister Rikalo, who is suspected as part of Serbia's gangs that have tortured people during the war.

He made all 21 ministers -- over 80 deputy ministers -- and 5 deputy prime ministers to accommodate family, relatives and militants.

It violated at least three laws to secure “Contour Global” the sale, credit and profit of 18.5%, while it made citizens pay more and more expensive.

He doubled his wages in the country with the highest poverty and unemployment rate in Europe.

He gave debts to irresponsible companies.

He lost 8. 200 hectares through the demarcation ratification in Montenegro.

He faked visa liberalisation.

Serbia's Zajednica was resumed with the initiative to draft its statute.

It led to bankruptcy PTK with party and family overworks and appointed him director Gent Begollin of the AAK, though not competent.

Part of his cabinet is filled with people under investigation for criminal acts.

He discredited Kosovo university education by excluding him from ECAR.

Unemployment has grown 3.3 %, as well as trade deficit, public debt and social misery.

It paid 1m euros for Serbs in the north who do not pay electricity.

He performed a show of the arrest of Djuric, who was not tried and convicted while condemning six Turkish citizens to exile without trial or law.

He gave 53m euros illegal to Bechtel-Enkas and 84m euros to Limak-Calik.

He continued the monopoly on automotive reactions contrary to the position of the Competition Authority.

Prosecutor Elez Blakaj threatened.

He destroyed Trepca's boards and managements, ZRE, KK and Post, filling them with non-competent and discredited militants of his party.

He is unmistakably opposed by Hashim Thaci in his dealings with Serbia, but not with the vote in the Assembly.

Manipulated with property in Shiptule and Hades.

He spent thousands of euros on luxury vacations in Saint Morriz. etc.

Promoting Haradinaj government

Time.net- As we are at the coalitions, and are talking about early elections, so are both sides constantly talking about a possible coalition between your party and the LDK. But, there are also critical voices from top LDK officials that say the coalition with Vetevendosje can only happen when your party apologises for the attacks on their leader, Isa Mustafa, during his term at the head of government. How do you comment?

Albin Kurti: Leaving The PDK by power, from which it has captured the state, and stopping this failed government and going to elections are common opposition targets of LVV and LDK. There's no voice against these two targets. I don't believe there are any voices in the LDK that can still say publicly today that they are willing to co-operate with the PDK, after all the bad experiences they have in the past. However, for these things you shouldn't ask me, I can't speak on behalf of another party. As I already said, we are co-operating in opposition, and we are open to more co-operation in the future, in government.

Time.net- You've had an impact on the economy with Mr. President. Haradinaj in Parliament. Still no year done, state reserves are zero. How do you generally see public money management from the Haradinaj government?

Albin Kurti: Prime Minister Haradinaj, when in opposition, promised small governments, with no more than one deputy minister, but here we are. Government spending is only increasing, as is Kosovo's trade deficit, year-on-year. Media reports of the amounts spent on unsuccessful lobbies, and also visiting abroad with huge delegations, show that savings and responsible spending of public money are not the trend of the Haradinaj government. Public debt is increasing, which goes mainly for salary and asphalt increases. Lack is triple: lack of purchasing power, lack of domestic production, lack of employment for citizens. It is no accident that Haradinaj did not reconsider the 2018 budget at all. The state budget for them is the spoils they possess for self-interest, not the tax of citizens who manage it for public interest.

Time.net) Mr. Kurti, we talk little about ratification of the Kosovo demarcation agreement with Montenegro. But for that you had a common cause with Mr. Haradinaj to oppose. How do you see your positions today? Have you changed your approach to this issue or Haradinaj's party? Or what was voted for in the Kosovo Assembly in March of this year was different from what was proposed by the preliminary government, that of Isa Mustaf?

Albin Kurti: Eight months ago, he was voted in the Demarking House, and we protested. So obviously we haven't changed our position. Our position is: the land of Kosovo is holy, and no politician dares to donate or sell it to other countries. With the ratification of the demarcation, Kosovo delivered a very dangerous message to us, the whole world. In fact, we showed that our borders are vulnerable, variable, negotiated. And that opens the door to Serbia's interests now, which wants to take the north.

Time.net- Why do you think there's no correction of this border? Do you see more room for opposition pressure in this regard?

Albin Kurti: We are constantly reminding Prime Minister Haradinaj of this. He then invited his party to vote on the Meha demarcation, saying a border correction would begin immediately. We have told the public since that it was a lie, and that there could be no further correction, since the demarcation was ratified. Months after month, now eight months, Haradinaj's lie about redressing borders after demarcation is becoming evident to all. Haradinaj not only keeps his word but himself is kept by fraud.

No Hope for Liberalisation

Time.net- The issue of liberalisation remains concern for citizens in Kosovo. What are you waiting for? Kurti, will there be liberalisation this year? If not this year, when?

Albin Kurti: This year already has another month, and there are no hopeful messages from European countries. Kosovo deserves to have visa liberalisation, like all countries in the region. But we need to explain to each citizen that when you are ruled by thieves, ignorant, and people who turn the black cheek out to yourself and their country, you cannot expect good treatment from the European Union. Because of the evil governments so far, because of the unsurpassed rulers, Kosovo today no longer has the international support it had a few years ago.

Time.net- Why all this hesitation by some European Union member states to vote for visa liberalisation for Kosovars?

Albin Kurti: Our government, who cheat us annually for liberalisation, and have used liberalisation to silence the opposition, are now saying that some European countries are to blame. They can never look back on themselves, see how, 20 years of failure and shame these rulers have done to Kosovo. It is unthinkable to leave your faults and failures to others, once to the opposition, once to European countries. Governments and power-rich criminals are to blame for their nonliberalization.

Time.net) Do you consider that you have made mistakes in the past in political action?

Albin Kurti: Not in substatics. In politics, we at LVV, before taking political action or decisions, first carefully analyze and discuss matters as long as time allows. Of course, there have been tests that haven't turned out exactly as we thought, and that's normal, because we can't be prophets. But history has generally shown that we were right, not that we are lucky, but that it is because of the importance we give serious analysis of situations and political processes because we are guided by principles rather than predictions.

Thaci is a series of failures

Time.net- Mr. Kurti, what would be Vetevendosje's condition to accept President Hashim Thaci for chief negotiator in Brussels?

Albin Kurti: There's no condition, we don't accept it. He can't negotiate the fates of a country and of a people whose tails are taken by the door. People who need to negotiate must be mandated by parliament, and must be people with high moral and patriotic integrity, with broad and profound knowledge. Otherwise, if we send blackmailed people into negotiations, we will always get lost from those negotiations.

Thaci is a series of failures. He needs incidents on the ground and the LDK's break-up to push ahead with his project with Vuciqi for partitioning Kosovo. To accept Thaci is to accept the thief who steals his own house when he says, "Let me bargain in your name with my cochine. Thaci is president of himself and Serbia, not of Kosovo.

Time.net- At the INTERPOL General Assembly, our police failed to become part of it. Why do you think this happened despite having enough optimism in Kosovo? Do you think Serbia's lobby had an impact? How does this failure translate into the ruling coalition?

Albin Kurti: This is not the first of us, so we are not surprised. Unfortunately, there is no change in access from government officials. Serbia is undermining Kosovo's path to international recognition at every step, with Russia's help. While President Thaci, though without a mandate, meets very often with Vuciqi, and is late with Putin. Does this president understand that any Kosovo citizen could begin to think that even Thaci himself is part of the Russian lobby?

Positive results are expected from taxes, but don't pay people's price

Time.net) Mr. Kurti, taxes have increased on goods coming from Serbia and BiH to 100 per cent. How do you assess this decision and expect stronger reactions from the neighbouring state now? On the other hand, do you think this will affect the increase in prices and harm the consumer?

Albin Kurti: Reciprocity can easily be applied with non-tariff barriers. Shh. We say that every commodity should be written in the Republic of Kosovo. And, here it leads to self-invention of Serbia's goods. Of the 100% tax, we expect positive results, but the method is unadequate, and preparations have been missing. Instead of taxing as a tactical fine, a full state reciprocity would be needed. And instead of a desperate ad hoc act, plan and strategy are needed to replace imports from Serbia with local production, or Albania and the friendly states. It is not fair for the government's patriotic last discovery to pay the price, so there is a need to take subsidy measures in order for the price of bread to be returned.

Time.net- In the end, since Pristina is the capital, and its leader came to the post as your party's candidate, but who later separated roads, how do you see being governed by Shpend Ahmeti?

Albin Kurti: In the first term, there have been achievements in most directors, and civic enthusiasm. In the second term, after the will of the citizens was changed, it seems to have focused elsewhere and realized it is his last term in the post. Unfortunately, he decided to release and not maintain even the achievements of the first term. Pristina continues to be polluted, construction continues over-the-line, lack of urban, infrastructure and environmental development. Because of political blindness, the mayor of the municipality did not deal with the problems of citizens but also fought against the most successful directors, even according to foreign observers and experts, which were the management of LVV.