Wessel: We're working intensively on reaching consensus on demarcation.

He said he expects reflection from the deputies of the Vetevendosje Movement, but those of the Serbian List, so that the Assembly will secure the 80 votes needed for ratification of the demarcation agreement.

Radio Free Europe: Mr. Wessel, when is the ratification session expected with Montenegro?

Kadri Wessel: We expect this week to complete ratification of the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro. There's no reason to be late, we're late enough. At the same time, I believe we have reached that point of consensus, so that we can develop confidence that by two thirds, we can vote on a matter that is so important, such as the issue of border demarcation, which strengthens the sovereignty of our state and at the same time opens up the perspective to our citizens for free movement towards the European Union. True a wish, but also a right which currently lacks our citizens.

Radio Free Europe: Will there be hearings this week or next week?
Kadri Wessel: I'm working intensively with political party colleagues, so that we can reach common consensus so that when we get to the session, we can finish it. We're in the final phase, I'd say. I hope that even in a positive reflection of the Democratic League of Kosovo, at the same time as of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo, that when we enter the session we vote on it, and vote without really adding concerns to our citizens from the Assembly Hall, and give them hope, solutions. That's what I really believe will happen this week.

Radio Free Europe: How much did you establish contacts with the Serbian List to secure the votes of this political subject for ratification of the Agreement?

Kadri Wessel: I would not share MP colleagues. Important is the decision-making for ratification of the Agreement to sign the border with Montenegro. For all parliamentary colleagues, including the Vetevendosje Movement, we expect the reflection of the Vetevendosje Movement because the vote of this agreement strengthens the sovereignty of the state of Kosovo, creates clear prospects towards Euro-Atlantic integration and at the same time creates prospects for free movement for our citizens, without differences of ethnicity, Albanians, Serbs and all other ethnicities -- Roma, Turkish, Ashkali, Egyptian, Goran. It means, this is an interest, which is really great for our citizens and at the same time, is also the strategic interest of our state and must be ratified.

Radio Free Europe: Do you have their votes for ratification of the demarcation?
Kadri Wessel: I believe a lot in the reflection of every MP colleague, including the Vetevendosje Movement, to vote on the strengthening of citizenship and at the same time the non-association of our citizens.

Radio Free Europe: Do you even count on Serbian List votes?

Kadri Wessel: I said, I strongly believe we will have a majority, which will exceed the limit of two-thirds (of votes), in which there will not only be over 80 deputies who will vote, including the Serbian List, but I believe very much in the reflection, which is positive. As much as there is courage from the Vetevendosje Movement, from a part of them to vote on it, but there are great moves in the sense of position, because no reason to block border demarcation voting with Montenegro anymore. If we talk about sovereignty, if we talk about Euro-Atlantic integration, it is there. If we talk about visa liberalisation, there it is. Otherwise, what is the logic of the blockade?

Radio Free Europe: Do you believe more in the votes of the Vetevendosje Movement or those of the Serbian List?

Kadri Wessel: I am confident in the votes of the Democratic Party of Kosovo mostly, the Democratic League of Kosovo, the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo, the Initiative, non-Albanian and non-Serb communities, the Serb List community, and at the same time those who love Kosovo independent and sovereign state.

Radio Free Europe: In opinion, parallels have been put between the Serbian List for Demarketing vote and the decision of Kosovo institutions to establish association. Do you see connections between these two decisions?

Kadri Wessel: I notice your insistence every time on the Serbian List. Let me stress the positive fact of the role of the Serbian List and I would not have wanted as head of the Parliament to separate the Serbian List from the colony of political parties, which we have in Kosovo's citizenship and in the Euro-Atlantic perspective of our Kosovo. No condition is set, nor will it be, because we are working to strengthen sovereignty, at the same time, to strengthen the prospect of Kosovo citizens.
With the vote of the demarcation agreement with Montenegro, we are completing a task that strengthens our sovereignty and at the same time opens a perspective to our state in Euro-Atlantic integration, while avoiding the problem with a friendly country like Montenegro, which is a safe place towards the EU and NATO. And at the same time, then we are instructed that the issues that we have open with the only country now with the Republic of Serbia, through a process of dialogue, not conflict, we end. But, that Kosovo is an independent and sovereign state and its policies are sovereign, so there is no doubt about it.

Kosovo is totally oriented towards the EU and NATO and outside any influence, any influence outside these orbits, even to be sure of that. This will be our common policy with all MP colleagues of all other ethnicities, including us as Albanian majority.

Radio Free Europe: You have stated that at the end of this year Kosovars will move freely into the Schengen area. On what basis did you say that?

Kadri Wessel: I have declared and am convinced that because we have caused enough blockades to our citizens, and Kosovo's policy should think that it will create more good for citizens. This is the first phase of visa liberalisation. But what we're going to try the most, I'm talking about as leadership, in this country is to create perspectives for our citizens so that their salvation won't be asked by going out, but their jobs, their family having here in Kosovo and living here, and at the same time thinking about how to get our fellow citizens back out of the diaspora, with their investments, and their extraordinary experiences in Kosovo's economic development.
It means, the idea of free movement of our citizens at the end of this year is necessary, it is not a matter of desire is obligation, at least I consider it a political and institutional leader in the Republic of Kosovo. This has to happen, there is no one who has the right to abuse the will of citizens and keep Kosovo isolated and damage its country.

Radio Free Europe: Can it be said that the ruling coalition consisting of more political parties is stable?

Kadri Wessel: Stabil is more than at first. It has that very clear parliamentary majority, but at the same time it is a parliamentary majority which is consolidated and compact. But more than that, it doesn't have the issues, but I would be guided by orientations that are the concerns of citizens.

People want jobs and this coalition should enable people to find more work and perspective in Kosovo. This should be orientation, not only of this coalition, but also of every coalition and contender thinking of taking power. That's what we're gonna do in four years.

Radio Free Europe: The political drama created with the ratification of the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro is reflecting on the overall work of the Kosovo Assembly. Analysts have said that the Parliament's work has been blocked on the very issue. What do you think?

Kadri Wessel: No. Be very direct. But it is true that the drama of the failure to establish the border with Montenegro has not helped Kosovo that is more serious than an agenda that develops through the chains in which the Parliament of the Republic of Kosovo works, which I assure our citizens that it will not remain in any respect behind the agenda of fulfilling obligations, and at the same time, its obligations to citizens and to the international community, I am speaking as the Parliament of the Republic of Kosovo. But it is true that failure to sign the border has been a wrong move, at the same time blocking Kosovo and causing the citizens to despair.

What we're doing now is the ongoing effort, at the same time as intensified meetings between fellow leaders and other parties, to get closer to consensus. We've grown very close and now to end this issue so that we can deal with other things of well-being for our citizens.