Thaci believes Albania will not oppose joining Kosovo with Valley

Kosovo President Thaci says joining Presevo has nothing to do with dividing or exchanging territories.

He, in a conversation with Top Channel, says he has not communicated with Tirana authorities, but believes Albania will not oppose the will of Presevo citizens.

Tch: Lord Thaci, you've been articulating border correction. Where does your thesis differ from partitioning Kosovo and exchanging territory?

Thaci: Under no circumstances can partition Kosovo or exchange territories, as it is an old Serbian idea. Serbia's historic request. While I see opportunities within the border correction, about 400km, Presevo, Bujanovac and Medvedja join the Republic of Kosovo. I think this demand is perfectly legitimate, reasonable, historical, of the will of the citizens. The ideas of partition are ideas that, under no circumstances, can be put into existence by anyone in Kosovo.

Tch: Do you think Belgrade will also seek the union of North Mitrovica with Serbia?

Thaci: At my desk, I have institutionalised application of Albanians from the Presevo Valley for joining Kosovo. But under no circumstances will land rock be allowed. Presevo citizens have given their will to the 1992 referendum on associating with Kosovo. This is a historical, legitimate right. Citizens in Kosovo massively accept this idea, this project.

Tch: Why do you think Serbia can accept this demand by Kosovo to unite the Presevo Valley?

Thaci: This is a right declared by citizens of the Presevo Valley. Human rights requirements are insufficient for them. The demand is legitimate and feasible peacefully with Serbia. If that happens, no one will oppose, neither the US nor NATO, nor the EU.

Tch: Do you have US and EU support?

Thaci: If there is a bilateral agreement, no one will oppose it. Two years ago, EU, Belgium and the Netherlands also revised and changed the border line peacefully.

Tch: Do you have an agreement with Tirana on your Presevo Valley union with Kosovo? Because so far we have no public statements from the president, prime minister, or the Foreign Ministry on this matter.

Thaci: I haven't spoken officially with Albanian authorities yet. But I don't want to believe that Albania will be in a position against the will of the citizens of Presevo, Bujanovac and Medvedja. We are hoping that Albania will be positioned in favour of their rights.

Tch: Now that the Presevo union with Kosovo is being discussed, do you think it gives way to what has been discussed for years with Kosovo joining Albania? Are you afraid that this will be the case too if that happens?

Thaci: The will of Kosovo's citizens is declared for the Euro-Atlantic future. This is also our vision. For Kosovo to join NATO and the EU.

Tch: It seems that Prime Minister Haradinaj and the head of the Veseli Parliament do you not have on the same line on this issue?

Thaci: I am in constant co-ordination with all Kosovo institutions, we are for a peaceful process. Neither Haradinaj nor Wessel oppose the rights of Albanians in the Presevo Valley, rather they are strong supporters of their aspirations.

Tch: Through a Facebook status, you have been sharply countering former Prime Minister Berisha for his role in past history in relation to Kosovo.

Thaci: I have not responded to anyone, I have given my opinions on developments in Kosovo and the region. With all the presidents, starting in 1991 with Ramiz Alina, to this day with Ilir Meta; and with the prime ministers starting with Fatos Nano in 1991-1992 and today with Eddie Rama, I have conducted correct reports, in full transparency and preserve the best memories of co-operation. I talk about phenomena, not individuals.

Tch: Do you think, as some analysts say, that the story of joining the Presevo Valley with Kosovo opens Panorra's “Box” in the Balkans and will have a domino effect if this union occurs?

Thaci: If this union occurs peacefully, for what I'm engaged in, then I don't open any “Pandora Box”. I read some opinions that the Valley union with Kosovo begins World War III, and other nonsense like that. It is only a realisation of their right and a correction of Albanian history.