Wessel calls to NATO chief: Concern about Russian bases in Serbia, not Kosovo Army

Kosovo Parliament Speaker Kadri Veselini has said the United States supports plans to establish the Kosovo Army. He has responded to NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg, who has estimated that transforming the Kosovo Security Force into the army is not taking place at the right time.
Our army is a partnership army, not an army that affects neighbours. Stoltenberg more will have to worry about Russian bases in Serbia in Nis, rather than NATO partnership force, which is closely linked to the United States and NATO countries”, Wessel has said of the Voice of America.

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Mr. Wessel, taking advantage of the comments German Foreign Minister made today, but also earlier comments by EU officials but also the United States on the 100 per cent tax issue on Serbian goods, which do not support this action on the part of Kosovo, are you concerned that this could damage relations with Kosovo's main allies?

Kadri Wessel: We will work to convince our allies that the issue of taxing 100 per cent is a move that has to do with our national security, is a move that concerns the respect Serbia should show to the Republic of Kosovo, which has been long, incorrect behaviour of the Republic of Serbia towards Kosovo. We don't even know the way, sometimes even the quality of products of the Republic of Serbia. It is not a decision-making meant to affect dialogue, it is not a decision-making that aims to influence our future reports to have agreements, but really Serbia should reflect on Kosovo. We are an independent and sovereign state. It cannot behave as it wishes towards us, for itself that it does not respect our products and the documents of the Republic of Kosovo, when our businesses want to export. There are difficulties in circulation of Kosovo's Republic goods. We're willing to talk, we're willing to reach an agreement, which is individually reciprocity and mutual respect as independent and sovereign states...

But does Kosovo have a clear goal, a clear strategy, where will it lead? Who will be victorious in this attitude, and will there be losers in this attitude?

Kadri Wessel: There are only winners from this stance, if all sides reflect, on the fact that we do not want to make unilateral decisions, but Serbia is the first to have made a unilateral decision, rejecting the products of the Republic of Kosovo, making it difficult for our businesses. And perhaps at the moment that we made this decision, these reactions came as a surprise, for the fact that, in turn, information measures against these partner countries should be prepared, that Serbia is the one that rejected Kosovo products, Serbia is the one that has been unilaterally brought, with refusal to Kosovo. Due to reports, due to a pragmatism, Kosovo has always tried to show tolerance. The moment we've acted on the extent of reciprocity, now we have these reactions.

Understandably, this Kosovo move is a political movement, but do you expect Serbia to change its stance on your decision?

Kadri Wessel: We expect greater rationality of Serbia towards Kosovo, which will put it in an equal situation Kosovo and Serbia. We respect the Serbian state, respect Serbian goods and are not against free movement of goods into free market economy, neither from Serbia nor any country. We've been very open in this respect, but what needs to happen further is to sit together, have respect for the very fact that we are an independent and sovereign state, and Serbia has no legal, or legitimate right to act with us as it wishes. That has been why I have given support to the decision-making of the prime minister of our government, to have this tax measure on Serbia's goods, not as a reaction, not as negative to Serbia, but as a reflection. Serbia, Kosovo are independent and sovereign states, let's respect each other

You say that Kosovo will have negotiations with Serbia, while they are suspended for just tariffs. The issue of borders is also open in these negotiations, what is your opinion on the matter?

Kadri Wessel: Kosovo goes to negotiations with a very open stance, Serbia must recognise the Republic of Kosovo as an independent and sovereign state. It is in Serbia's interest in the progressive steps of integration into the European Union, is in the interest of peace and stability for the region. We will respect the Republic of Serbia. Obviously, we're going to demand that we don't violate the sovereignty of our territories, but at the same time of institutional functionality, to keep in mind we don't want to create parallel systems in our country.

Do you not accept the idea of exchanging territories established by the president?

Kadri Wessel: We very soon, I believe, after December 14th, when we will vote on the transformation of the Kosovo Security Force, we will also have a session in Kosovo's parliament, to move towards the dialogue process with a very clear purpose, we have the constitution, we have territory, we will go to talk to Serbia as independent and sovereign states for good neighborhoods. Serbia must recognise our country, the territory we have.

You, then, have the vote in parliament on several laws related to the transformation of the Kosovo Security Force into the Kosovo Army. NATO and Mr. Stoltenberg have strongly opposed this, while the United States has taken another position, so the situation is complex. What are you waiting for?

Kadri Wessel: The United States of America supports the transformation of the Kosovo Security Force. We will vote on it by December 14th. Our leadership as a state is very clear, as a nation, the West, the European Union, NATO, the very special partnership with the United States, and we will walk on this common road. I believe that Mr. Stoltenberg will have good intentions and will understand as a legitimate right of ours. We are an independent and sovereign state, otherwise what is the logic of the functionality of our state?

But, Mr. Stoltenberg said there would be consequences if it continues with the process of transforming the Kosovo Security Force into the Kosovo Army?

Kadri Wessel: We at the meetings we've had in the IOWA, an excellent visit, the meetings I had today with Senator Peters who is on the Committee of Armed Forces in the Senate, we have the support of the United States of America, we will move with our authority for an army that is partnership, NATO and sustainability. Kosovo wants not only to consume peace but also to produce peace in other crisis regions, and Kosovo is able to do so through its armed forces. This will be the future of the partnership, not the vulnerability of the neighbourhood. Our army is the army of partnership, not the army that affects neighbors. Stoltenberg more will have to worry about Russian bases in Serbia in Nis, rather than the NATO partnership force, which is closely linked to the United States and NATO countries.

Belgrade has voiced concern over the establishment of the KSF, viewing it as a threat to Serb residents in northern Kosovo. How do you respond to these Belgrade concerns?

Kadri Wessel: Serbia is traditionally familiar with its acting; even in the case of tariffs, it reacted to humanitarian disaster. We are willing to take responsibility to Serbian citizens throughout the territory. What needs to happen is that Serbia will not affect Serbian citizens in the Republic of Kosovo, blackmail them from leaving the Kosovo Security Force, as it is doing in many cases through its organs and dark people, for the very fact that Kosovo Serb citizens are sovereign citizens and we will respect them to the fullest. / VoA