Norwegian Ambassador warns other internationals: Don't wait, let the dialogue solution itself

Some of the international allies said they backed any ideas leading to normalisation of relations, and others stood neutral on the issue.

But Norway's ambassador to Kosovo, Per Strand Sjastad, has told Online Economy that the international factor should be careful in their positions about Kosovo-Kosovo dialogue. Serbia and that it should leave them alone to find the final solution.

He has further added that Norway has no stance regarding the idea of correcting the borders between the two countries, but that normalising relations will open the doors to both countries.

Allow me first to say that efforts for normalisation between Kosovo and Serbia are very important, when a final agreement is reached will open many doors for Kosovo to participate in European and international co-operation, and this will have a very positive effect on Kosovo society in general. I believe the international community should take a step backwards and be more careful to say anything about what the solution must be”.

I think it's important to give the parties flexibility to find their own solution. Of course the international community should help in this process, but Kosovo and Serbia should be in the lead role. Norway does not have any attitude regarding the correction of borders, we should, of course, give our help in flexibility and try to make sure that they reach solution” on their own, he said.

Ambassador Strand Sjaadstad has stated that imposing a 100% tax on products of Serbia and Bosnia does not help dialogue, as he said he hopes tax and dialogue issues will be separate issues.

It's hard to say, when you see reactions from Belgrade in a short round, it can't be help for dialogue. We hope that dialogue will continue as soon as possible, saying this, I think it is also important to resolve the trade issue between Kosovo and Serbia and Bosnia”.

Perhaps Kosovo is on the right track, especially after placing non-tarifort barriers in Serbia against Kosovo's export, and I think it is legitimate for Kosovo to raise this issue but I am hoping these will be separate processes and that affect dialogue because these tariffs have gone so far away that I can see that it is not helpful for the continuation of the” dialogue.

Regarding the failure of Kosovo's membership in Interpol and non-liberalisation of visas, he said Norway strongly supports Kosovo's entry into Interpol.

While for liberalisation he said Kosovo must fight crime and corruption in order to convince European union countries that liberalisation is the right solution, EO reports.

“It's hard for me to say what's wrong, but I can say that Norway and I strongly support Kosovo to be an Interpol member because we think it will be very good to fight crime in Europe and unfortunately didn't get enough support in Interpol, but I think that Kosovo should try again and show that the country is a good partner for other states in this area and beyond, and that it will achieve a <x1 membership.

When we are at visa liberalisation as we know all Kosovo has gone too far on this road and unfortunately it was impossible for the European Union to make that decision now, but I think the only possibility that Kosovo has is to continue working on improving the rule and the law fighting organised crime, and I am sure that in the end Kosovo will get visa liberalisation in the Schengen area in Europe but it can still become more. Europe has many challenges on its own, so I think Kosovo will convince European states that the best thing is for Europe to give Kosovo visa liberalisation”, he said.