Surroi: Nazity to think Serbia leaves Presevo Valley

According to him, Serbia is a sovereign state and Kosovo is not yet recognised, what the two states could do. He says Serbia has the Presevo Valley for 150 years as a strategic area, offering it ties to Vardar. He says the idea of exchanging territories is now a dangerous precedent.

Part of the interview:

-In the rhetoric of the two presidents Thaci-Vucciq is mentioned as a painful deal. Should Kosovo compromise for the sake of recognition from Serbia?

Surroi: I don't know why deals should be painful. Two independent states have to find common interest and their common interest is developing relations and I don't see pain there and why to dramatize a process where we have to move towards joy and not pain. Serbia has approached some strategic interests that do not concern Kosovo alone and what is important what Kosovo wants in this case, and not what Serbia requires.

- You have expressed yourself against the idea of exchanging territories. Do you think this plan is realistic?

Surroi: I don't think it's realistic, but it's trying to irritate the situation more so that instead of solving, new problems can be created and renewed strategic insights. For Serbia it is important that Kosovo at this stage remain as it is. Serbia does not see a future between the two equal states and until that moment arrives there will be no agreement.

It is great gullibility to think that Serbia will crack the Presevo Valley as a whole. Serbia has nearly 150 years of that valley leading up to Vardar it considers its strategic interest. States that can talk about border corrections are states that have recognised each other, have gone beyond the issue of war and then entered into issues that can be passed on from politics to geography, which is being passed on from geography to politics and this is an introduction to new conflicting processes.

- Could it be a dangerous precedent?

Surroi: It's a dangerous precedent already. For example, with Macedonia Albanians due to come out for referendum in September, and if they are given a speculation that perhaps a correction of borders would be made instead of full mobilization, the outcome of the referendum could be questioned and then a Russian strong ambition for NATO's further deportation to the Balkans would be met.

-Is there a request by Albanians in Serbia?

Surroi: It's naive, the demand has existed since the 1992 referendum. It is children's game to say that since the Presevo Valley requires that it be part of Kosovo, we enter this process. Serbia is a sovereign country and Kosovo seeks respect for its sovereignty. Of course, he cannot overlook Serbia's sovereignty. As long as Kosovo and Serbia have not ended with mutual recognition, we cannot talk about anything because we are not parties.

- The foundation of association could be a violation of the Constitution.

Surroi: Any conversation for a third level of power is violation of the Kosovo Constitution. Kosovo's constitution has reached the limits of functionality. Moving further the issue of power distribution means making it more ineffective.

Kosovo is not represented by Thaci. Vuciqi can represent Serbia politically because it has 70 per cent change of political support and is another political system. In the case of Kosovo, Thaci does not have the support of political representation.

Tirana engagement

Surroi: I haven't heard much of Tirana's official commitment. I know that Minister Bushati has expressed against partition as an option that is worried about Albania and Albanians. Would that we had a promise from him.

Thaci-Berisha debate

Surroi: I don't think that such language should be used in relations between Kosovo and Serbia. It is the legitimate right of former President Berisha to be promoted on important issues in Kosovo. It is important to hear in Kosovo rather than disqualify the thought that may be critical of developments.