Ali Ahmeti talks about Kosovo and Serbia: No deal without compromise

Democratic Union for Integration Chairman Ali Ahmeti has said that in Kosovo the opinion should know that any agreement that can be reached between the two states includes compromises that will satisfy everyone.

In an interview for KTV, Ahmeti has spoken about the process of reaching Macedonia's historic agreement -- Greece -- which pierced constitutional changes, leading to the change of Macedonia's name to the Republic of Northern Macedonia. It's called it a complicated process and an easy compromise. He has said there has been a lot of excitement in this process, but has added that the agreement between the two states will benefit, even outside the two countries. Ahmeti has said that roads for membership in NATO and the European Union for Macedonia have now been opened.

Speaking of the role of Albanians in this agreement, Ahmeti has said Albanians are state-formers of Macedonia and that the inclusion of the Ohrid Agreement in Preambula, according to him, testifies.

“We, as an Albanian political party, have had the strong will to close this dispute and in particular DUI has lost its grip until it was the bearer of Macedonian and Albanian policies. We had communication with all Chancellors in Europe. We saw it and were convinced it was the only option that we be part of NATO and the EU, or advanced developed countries, both in a democratic but economic way. I think the deal was made with mutual will and not imposed. We agreed on this solution. It is compromise, and Greece has assured us that even there will soon be ratified agreement”, he has said.

Ahmeti has further said that now is the time for Albanians to work seriously in strengthening their positions in Macedonia. It has reiterated the position that Albanians need more than two political parties in Macedonia.

If we spoke unanimously we would be a political party. I am stressing about the KTV that Albanians in Macedonia do not need more than two political parties. The existence of four-five parties makes Albanians insignificant. It's at the expense of Albanians, but it's times of democracy and democracy, it exploits these movements, these rights to become important, or to appear on television screens with different television sets. We are trying to deliver orders to all Albanians in Macedonia on our philosophy of how we think about organising us and how Albanians can be better. I am ashamed when we go to foreign delegations, when we have seven or eight representatives, while Macedonians have two, an opposition position. I said I would no longer go and go those who have no legitimacy to represent Albanians. We need to consolidate as we make Albanians more important, he added.

Speaking of the Kosovo dialogue, Serbia and the possibility of reaching an agreement between the two countries, Ahmeti has said any agreement has compromises. Even this agreement, according to Ahmeti, will contribute to the stability of the region.

I am aware that the Kosovo-Serbia problem should be closed. I hope that they will be successful talks because without addressing this problem, certainly the entire Southeast European region is not calm, is not on a good track towards EU membership, towards NATO membership, towards having a Southeast Europe of peace, stable, sure. This problem requires final solution. I wish this case were resolved and the will of the parties respected. Now's the time, because we can't move on in a permanent struggle. We see that they have withdrawn from northern municipalities. High officials have been recalled. Serbia has withdrawn the customs terminal from Presevo. Of course, all of this goes into the search for as fast as possible the right solution to the problem. The compromises are also painful, but Kosovo has legitimate organs, the government, the presidency, parliament. There are political parties in the opposition that have responsibilities and that all should be contributing to the search for a solution as acceptable to the parties and less dangerous to the region as well. There are no consequences for the” region, Ahmeti has added.

According to Ahmeti, if the Prespa Agreement, both that Kosovo and Serbia would bring good for the region, not only in terms of peace, but also economic development. He has also cited the international contribution to Kosovo.

I think that eventually, our friends at any time have been found near us and we accept that success in Macedonia must be shared with the international community. Success in Kosovo must also be shared with Washington, Brussels and NATO. They were our allies, and with them the Albanian-Serb problem must be closed. I hope this commitment is pretty strong and soon will be a solution to the problem. I think where there's compromise, there's also resentment. When the compromise of the Ohrid Agreement was reached, there was dissatisfaction, but after a decade, all sides reflected and see it as a significant and useful moment for the country. After the deal, compromises are inevitable in these situations. There's a compromise that'll satisfy the parties. But true appreciation will be seen over the years. The true values of an agreement reached” will be seen, he has declared further.

Ahmeti has spoken of the Special Court, which today began working with interviewing former KLA commander Rrustem Mustafa.

I have not seen any documents issued that the KLA has issued orders, directives to do shameful acts, or contrary to international conventions”, he said. /Periscopi