Thaci: Key challenge for 2019 is agreement with Serbia, then gain recognition and seat at UN

He has stressed that this has also helped speed up reaching an internal consensus in Kosovo.

Thaci has said opposition parties should also assume the role they belong to in the process of dialogue with Serbia because, according to him, it is important and historical for Kosovo.

In an interview for the newspaper “, the president has suggested that reaching a peaceful agreement with Serbia that will bring Kosovo's membership to the United Nations and recognition from Serbia is the main ambition for 2019.

INT ERVISTA:

“New age” Mr. Thaci, Kosovo is closing this year with the commitment to reaching a consensus for final dialogue with Serbia. The issue will be the main theme early next year. In view of this, do you believe a unique voice can be created regarding dialogue as well as reach the Kosovo agreement Serbia?

Thaci: Dialogue with Serbia, respectively, achieving a peaceful, comprehensive, final agreement that will bring recognition of Kosovo from Serbia and Kosovo's membership in the United Nations, is Kosovo's main ambition for 2019. The particular thing about 2018 is that a new international moment has been created, an incentive to close open issues among Western Balkan states. This year, the Prespa Agreement was reached that after two decades brought about solutions to the name dispute between Macedonia and Greece. Now the attention is to the peace agreement between Kosovo and Serbia. This new moment, this attention of the international community, has also helped speed up reaching an internal consensus in Kosovo. The Kosovo Assembly has established the state delegation for dialogue, in which part of the opposition is represented as well as civil society. The united voice of Kosovo is already being built to complete dialogue with Serbia.

“ Are you optimistic that even the opposition can reflect on this, at least the LDK?

Thaci: Even the international community has begun to be clearer in its messages. This is reflected also in the positions of Kosovo political parties, more precisely in the approach of political parties to dialogue. Representatives of opposition parties are also invited to the state delegation's meetings for dialogue. I hope that even opposition parties will soon assume their role in this important and historic process for Kosovo.

“ Following the American president's letter, it is said that the main contributions of this agreement have already been reached and that by spring it is expected to be signed by you and your counterpart. Is that true?

Thaci: There are no agreements and will be the state delegation for dialogue that will negotiate the agreement to detail. But what is known is what Kosovo wants from this process and this is mutual recognition with Serbia and the seating for Kosovo in the United Nations. President Trump's letter is very encouraging and sets another time frame for reaching agreement. The letter makes it clear that there is a new moment and invites this moment to be used and the agreement reached in the spring. Moreover, the letter says that if we miss the occasion. This means a tragic setback and warns that it is not known when such a case will occur again. Therefore, the letter must be taken seriously by all in Kosovo and act accordingly.

 “ What will this agreement contain? Will your initiative for uniting the Presevo Valley with Kosovo be included?

Thaci: The agreement should bring the recognition of Kosovo from Serbia and the seat of Kosovo to the United Nations. But it will define all other open issues between the two countries. The deal should be such that all sides feel victorious by this process, so not only Kosovo, but Serbia as well as the international community. I have requested that the Presevo Valley be included in this process and required that Presevo, Medvedja and Bujanoc join Kosovo.

“ After signing the northern Kosovo agreement, will it gain some kind of autonomy, or will it eventually secede from Kosovo?

Thaci: The agreement aims to be final, thus bringing permanent peace and stability to Kosovo and the region. Any other form that violates the citizenship and stability of the state of Kosovo, such as one for a community of Serb municipalities with executive competencies, is not a solution in the interest of Kosovo or peace in the region.

“ What will be the most challenging point, according to you, of the agreement?

Thaci: The deal must be one that will make all sides feel victorious. That, at the same time, is also the most challenging point of the agreement.

“ President, what can happen if Kosovo and Serbia cannot reach this agreement?

Thaci: As noted in President Trump's letter, failure to reach an agreement would now be a tragic setback. The European future for both countries would be questioned. Each country's economic development would suffer. No investor is interested in investing in countries where there is no political stability. Instead of our energies focusing on reform and development, we would continue to deal with the obstruction of each other worldwide and with each other's approach to the EU.

“ Mr. Thaci, why was this year not fruitful for Kosovo as far as foreign policy you run?

Thaci: Foreign policy has also been productive this year. Unlike other years, the emphasis has been, not on providing bilateral recognitions, but on representation in international organizations. Like Kosovo, we are represented at the World Economic Forum in Davos, in Alpbach, at the UN General Assembly. We've become a member of the Francophony Organization. We have received guests from around the world, presidents, prime ministers and ministers; we have visited the United States, Germany, Britain, France, to name only a few of the top. But in international relations, we do not always have everything in our hands. As in the case of the membership effort in Interpol or in the case of visa liberalisation, such as Kosovo we have met any conditions, we have met every criterion. But success does not depend on us, but on member states that do not necessarily see Kosovo's interest and the good of Kosovo in these developments. This brings us back to the topic of dialogue and the momentum created. In international relations it is important to understand the circumstances and exploit them.

“ What do you think the state's challenges will be during 2019, both domestic and international?

Thaci: The challenge, at the same time as the main opportunity for next year, is reaching a peaceful agreement with Serbia. This would then enable us to return to other challenges and needs that we have, from the conclusion of the international consolidation of the state of Kosovo to deepening reforms in the state and society, further strengthening of rule of law and economic development of the country. Kosovo is a state of untapped potential, so even the challenges we have ahead of us should be seen as more opportunities than challenges or obstacles./ The New Age