Serbia recognition is not everything

-Mr Bushati, an inevitable question: Since at the head of the Foreign Ministry (and Europe) you have been the longest-lived minister of the years of democracy, you have built a solid and much more solid profile, agenda and diplomatic activity is somewhat disconnected from internal political developments... did you expect to quit?

Bushati: The foreign minister's task, as you said, imposes a kind of distance “hygienic” from internal policy developments to create a bed as much understanding and consensus, in the function of life of foreign policy priorities and meeting national goals.

There are countries which have demonstrated in the follow-up a more stable period of foreign policy guidance; as there are frequent movements at the top of the foreign service. But in politics, both options are known.

-After meeting with Italian counterpart Moavero, you stated literally that the prime minister has decided to change the political direction of the ministry”. The phrase was also understood as a change in the current policy of our diplomacy; Or wrong perception?

Bushati: I have referred to the very fact that the prime minister has decided to be himself temporarily, even Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, which means a change of the ministry's political leadership. As the prime minister has clarified, and as is generally the practice of other countries, this does not mean there will be any change of priorities in foreign policy. It's very difficult to have priority changes; there may be degrees at certain times, but it is known that some of the priorities pursued by the foreign service are strategic priorities for which all political forces and social actors agree.

- Clear. Speaking of no balance, I've got a parachute: Your expressed position on the issue of Serbia-Kosovo dialogue, and more specifically on the idea of changing borders, has been clear against this option, and you have reasoned why. Meanwhile, the prime minister has been more flexible in the formulation, leaving the agreement to the two interested parties, which is enough to agree 100% and Albania would be pleased to support it. Can we expect, exactly in the context of these “ ”, a modification of Albania's position on this issue?

Bushati: It is a very delicate issue, and as a result, it requires a tremendous and comprehensive beating of thought. In the first place, it takes an inventory of the achievements and failures of the Serbia-Kosovo dialogue process to enable public opinion and policymakers to understand how normal relations between the two countries have actually normalised today.

In my judgment, there have been positive steps forward, as there have been when dialogue has stalled, or the commitments made on paper have not brought the expected effects to practice.

Second, it is important to understand that the essence of the whole process concerns normalising relations between Serbia and Kosovo. I have noticed, especially during the past year, an intensification of efforts to deal with this process only due to the prism of possible recognition of Kosovo by Serbia; do you think it has to do with a Kosovo resolution from Serbia? I believe that from the standpoint of international law, Kosovo's declaration of independence, the verdict of the International Court of Justice, which is the Guardian, the number one authority, the interpretation of international law, is the best answer for anyone who tries to see this matter simply and only because of the predictive recognition of Kosovo by Serbia.

Likewise, I mean normalization is a two-way process necessary.