Thaci: I didn't decide the tax, nor did I ask to be suspended

“under no price, under no circumstances will there be a partnership rejection, because strategic and permanent co-operation between Kosovo and the US is vital interest”, Thaci has declared. He has urged partners of the current ruling coalition to discuss and make the right decision regarding the US and EU demand for the suspension of the customs tariff imposed on goods imported from Serbia and Bosnia.

Radio Free Europe: President Thaci, several meetings and talks by US officials and Kosovo political leaders have been held these days. Can you tell us what he was talking about?

Hashim Thaci: I appreciate the commitment for joint meetings of coalition partners, the chairman of the Assembly, also the prime minister and other coalition partners leaders, for the further steps the country's institutions must take, in an even better co-ordination with the US and the European Union for the future of important and vital processes for Kosovo. So my meeting with institutional and political leaders today was also part of encouraging the country to take appropriate, wise and strategic action.

Radio Free Europe: Is customs duty one of the requirements?

Hashim Thaci: It was the government's decision, coalition partners, which coalition partners and government are discussing further steps.

Radio Free Europe: President, why have you requested suspension of the tax on goods from Serbia while Serbia has not yet given up political offensive to Kosovo?

Hashim Thaci: I didn't even propose taxing, tax suspension. I've just encouraged institutions and political leaders to look to the future, to strategic steps that are of vital interest to the state. Under one, to produce positive and helpful arguments for our partners, particularly the US and the European Union, to help us, and in no circumstances to complicate their commitments or produce negative events that make it difficult for partners to help us, because Kosovo can move forward and can only succeed in a close co-ordination with the US and the European Union.

Radio Free Europe: What consequences can Kosovo have if it does not support the American tax suspension requirement?

Thaci: No leader's personal points prove to hurt US interest in Kosovo
Hashim Thaci: At no price will there be no partnership rejection under any circumstances. And it is vital, beyond any daily policy, strategic and permanent co-operation of deep friendship between Kosovo and the US. No one and no other agenda stands above the interests of the strategic partnership of Kosovo and the United States of America, so no person and no other agenda.

Radio Free Europe: The prime minister has said, so far, that he will not withdraw the verdict, what happens now?

Hashim Thaci: It is up to the coalition partners and the Government to take the necessary actions, but I stress, my message, looking to the future, strategic actions, actions which lead the country towards visa liberalisation and strong support for strengthening the army and consolidating the state on the domestic and external plains.

Radio Free Europe: Prime Minister Haradinaj, presenting conditions for tax removal, called for an international conference on Kosovo. How much can Kosovo adapt now, such a conference?

Hashim Thaci: The dialogue process is led by the European Union, has the full support of the European Union, so it will continue in the future, and will not create favourable circumstances that bring Russia to the table.

Radio Free Europe: The international conference can do that (bring Russia to the table)?

Hashim Thaci: We have full confidence in the European Union and the United States of America, without involving other factors that have not recognised Kosovo's independence and have no sympathy for Kosovo's future in NATO and the European Union.

Radio Free Europe: The tax settlement is estimated to have blocked the negotiation process with Serbia, which says it will not return to the negotiating table without taxing. Can you know when the talks in Brussels will continue?

Hashim Thaci: I encourage coalition partners to continue to discuss and take appropriate, wise actions, to be creative and flexible in their approach so that Kosovo will be the open doors both in Washington and the European Union and in sustainable and co-ordinated decision making. When Kosovo has made co-ordinated decisions with the US and the European Union has always succeeded. Under other circumstances we will be a country, truly forgotten and isolated, which Kosovo citizens do not deserve or the politics of Kosovo. I want to trust the good will of the institutions, this time in the initiatives of Chief Parliamentary Kadri Wessel, but at the same time in the good will of other people.

Radio Free Europe: Is correcting the borders still part of the negotiations or the negotiating table?

Hashim Thaci: The Kosovo state delegation has been elected, has a full mandate from the people's elected, and has my full support. Therefore, all the things this delegation discusses in Brussels will be in a transparent process and something like that means future commitments we will face with the agenda that is about a comprehensive agreement, meaning mutual recognition and Kosovo membership in the United Nations Organisation.

Radio Free Europe: So far all political leaders have been declared against reforming the borders, and yesterday your former party, PDK said the same. Do you think that your idea of correcting the borders damages your constitutional role?

PI RELIGION FROM THE BIBLE With REFERANDUM

Hashim Thaci: All leaders and political parties in Kosovo are for dialogue, are for negotiations, are for an agreement with Serbia meaning mutual recognition and Kosovo membership in the United Nations Organisation. As for the substance of the agreement, which will be a comprehensive agreement with mutual recognition, with issues to be included in the frameworks of this agreement -- even the issue of missing persons, refugees, Serbian cultural heritage, economic development, education, health -- will be included. Therefore, the substance of the agreement remains to be discussed in further steps.

Radio Free Europe: Who concludes this process, you or the state delegation that has been elected?

Hashim Thaci: This process is closed by Parliament or the referendum of Kosovo citizens.

Radio Free Europe: In your letter to President Trump, you have expressed readiness for a compromise to reach a balanced agreement with Serbia. What does the balanced agreement mean to you?

Hashim Thaci: This dialogue is not being conducted only by Pristina with Brussels and Washington, but is a European Union-led dialogue with full US support. So dialogue with Serbia. So we remember that it must be a balanced solution that respects Kosovo's sovereignty, that recognition of Kosovo, membership in the United Nations Organisation, will occur. At the same time, though, it must be realized that we are dealing with another party on the table.

So, I believe that the European Union's proposals and our will, as well as that of Serbia, will be for an agreement that opens up Euro-Atlantic perspective to Kosovo and Serbia, European perspective and, of course, the empowering of geostrategic interests and the United States of America, NATO and the European Union for lasting peace in the Western Balkans.

Radio Free Europe: What is Kosovo willing to offer Serbia as a compromise?

Hashim Thaci: Kosovo's state delegation remains to discuss concrete issues in question which issues will be discussed and which can be found a creative and elegant solution to both sides.

Radio Free Europe: Are there attempts for the northern Mitrovica municipality to become part of a united Mitrovica?

Hashim Thaci: Such things have not been discussed. But I point out that at no cost, under any circumstances, I want to dismiss all disinfects both for Gazivoda (Uyman), or for northern Mitrovica, or for Trepca, they have been, are, and will remain uncensed.

Radio Free Europe: Kosovo is involved in the wave of social discontent manifested through strikes, do you think that prior to the law's adoption of wages it should return once again for a debate in order to include discontent?

Hashim Thaci: Powers in Kosovo are split, parliament has its jobs, its government, of course its president. I understand the difficulties of the Government, and at the same time I understand the response of Kosovo workers. But as president of the country I invite everyone for a social dialogue, through dialogue I think an acceptable solution will be found. And for Government, for its opportunities, and for the demands of workers.