If the German ambassador had magic wand, it would change these three things in Kosovo

Christian Heldt has been at the helm of Germany's Embassy in Kosovo for several months, but he cannot get used to Pristina's polluted air. During an interview on the festive number of the newspaper “Voice” the German diplomat says that if there were the famous magic wand three things, it would change in Kosovo: “that Albanians and Serbs, as well as other communities, approached each other more actively and achieve peace with Serbia, eliminate waste everywhere and have a more friendly approach to nature and that the new generation travels quickly and without restrictions on Europe”

I can get used to dirty air.

It's been a while since you're living in Pristina. Have you been exposed to polluted air and see the solution to this problem?

Heldt: I can't get used to dirty air. Sometimes I wonder what's all burning and there's a dilemma: if it's wood it leads to more illegal forest cuts, and in 2030 in Kosovo there will be no more closed forest surfaces. The coal, this smells bad, but people have to warm up. I would like the priority to develop the field of regenerative energy, because there is tremendous potential that has not been exploited.

Prizren, favorite place for the weekend

Which country of Kosovo do you like to spend weekends?

Heldt: My list of ill - luck meetings is very limited to me, so sometimes I'm just happy if I have time to go through it within the four walls. It's not that far. The beautiful region over Prizren in the direction of Sterpce I love, and I enjoy the fact that there are not so many wild refuse everywhere that might otherwise spoil our beautiful walks.

Do you consume Kosovo products and have products that meet standards for the European market?

Heldt: Not only do they meet but they also exceed them. A very good example for me are the fruit juices of “Frutomania”, which I have personally tried almost all. Very good!

Concern for the Education Issue

Kosovo has a low level of education. Are your children educated in this educational system?

Heldt: Thank you for the compliment, but I'm not so young anymore. Our children have long since graduated from school. However, the education issue worries me: Kosovo has a special history of commitment to education from the 1990s. Moreover, depoliticisation and professionalism would do good to the educational system. However, there are schools that testify to what success Kosovar children are able to achieve.

Do you use Kosovo's public transportation and be disturbed by heavy traffic?

Heldt: Here I have to say that during the day I can only travel with drivers, because I couldn't get to meetings in time. Otherwise I walk with pleasure and every move is good for me. Sometimes in view of intense communication, I would like people to move on more, either for the traffic infrastructure to expand and adjust. Pristina has simply not been scheduled to be a capital that grows so rapidly. That's what it's now all about, and I admire the municipality management how it's trying to fix and adapt everything.

Do you listen to the music of Kosovo singers, and whom would you isolate?

Heldt: A huge lack of mine: I don't have time to learn Albanian. However, I regularly research the Internet and especially appreciate a German-Kosovo singer: Lucky Kosumi allias Andra. The new interpretation of traditional melodies, as well as songs, is impressive, but also the fact that Andrew carries his musical cultures between Germany and her homeland, her ancestors. Whoever's in Berlin and manages to get to Berghain-Kantine, there's nothing to see. Besides, it also radiates creative energy.

Kosovo National Needs Other Flags

Have you attended any of the Kosovo Representative's football matches and how do you assess her performance so far?

Heldt: Yes, of course! Since the first game in the new stadium “Fadil Vokrri” against the team from the Faroe Islands and then against Malta. I've been very excited and I think they'll get away. Who knows if we'll even meet our two teams during the 2020 European Championships, but this will be extremely interesting. In addition, players from Kosovo are not unknown within the Bundesliga. What I have enjoyed most has been the atmosphere in the stadium: enthusiasm with Kosovo flags, because it is the Kosovo national that seems to be promoting identity. The whole country can boast about this, and there is no need for other flags.

What does Kosovo have in common with your country?

Heldt: A truly common story since 1999, which could almost be called a community of fate. I would also mention preserving ties with my country, with good bread, with good beer, with creativity, with the will to develop, not to forget all the people who serve as bridges between our two countries, because most of the Kosovo diaspora still live in Germany.

If you had the opportunity, what would be the three things you would change in Kosovo?

Heldt: If I had the famous magic wand, these three would be, by many desires: that Albanians and Serbs in Kosovo, as well as all other communities, approached each other more actively and achieve a peace with Serbia, which is right for all communities in Kosovo, which would offer all citizens here a security and a basis for future planning. Waste disposal everywhere and a more friendly approach to the unique nature this country has. So that this country's talented new generation can travel very quickly without restrictions and be able to know the Europe it belongs to