Thaci for the largest Swiss newspaper: If we fail to reach agreement with Serbia, there could be war again

Kosovo President Hashim Thaci, in an interview for the most read Swiss newspaper, has talked about his position in Switzerland, relations between the two states, the role of the diaspora in strengthening the economy, and the latest phase of Kosovo-Serbia dialogue.

Responding to Christian Dorer's questions, editor-in-chief of this prestigious media, President Thaci has stressed that there will never be a war between Albanians and Serbs again if a peace agreement is reached in the coming months.

“Who prevents the reach of the peace agreement take on the responsibility of other interethnic Albanian-Serbian tragedies, and perhaps even wider”, has warned President Thaci.
He has also spoken of the Kosovo Army, saying it will contribute to peace and stability in Europe and the world.

This is President Thaci's full interview for Blake:

Mr. President, you once lived as a refugee and a student in Switzerland. How are you experiencing your return here?

Hashim Thaci: I remember my years in Switzerland more enjoying and homesickness. It was the quietest years ever. Switzerland gave me protection at the time when because of my resistance to the Milosevic regime I had to abandon my country. My son was born here. He also has a very positive image of Switzerland.

Kosovo still stands on the international media fronts, because you want to establish an army. Why are you doing this?

Hashim Thaci: That was the natural decision of an independent country. Thanks to NATO, Kosovo is one of the safest countries in Europe. We want to become NATO members and this is possible only with our army. We want to contribute to peace and stability. The Kosovo Security Force is a multiethnic force with NATO standards. Actually, we're not too early, but too late.

Hashim Thaci: It was always clear that we loved our army. First, though, we needed support from all decisionmakers.

What does that mean for the Swiss troops of KFOR in your country?

Hashim Thaci: The establishment of our army has no impact on the role of KFOR peacekeepers in Kosovo. Swiss women and men are doing an extraordinary job.

Serbia reacted sharply with violence. Is the Kosovo Army jeopardising the peace process?

Hashim Thaci: Serbia's reaction was politically and hostile, hasty and without arguments. Kosovo, not Serbia, takes the decision to establish the military. Above all, we don't accept advice from the most anti-state. - NATO in the region, such as Serbia.

A year ago, you said in an interview for Blick that relations between Kosovo and Serbia are better than ever. Is that still the case?

Hashim Thaci: Of course, there are difficulties between the two countries, but as two states, we are very focused on negotiations for a final peace. The process is led by the EU, supported by the US, and will apparently be accepted by Russia as well. In the end, Kosovo will be a member of the UN and fully recognised by all countries, including Serbia. My two-decade experience with negotiations shows that when Kosovo is in arms with the US and the EU, it should dare enter challenging, sometimes successful, processes.

What makes you so optimistic?

Hashim Thaci: Peace is a must. We work hard in this direction. I want a balanced agreement on both sides. Peace has no alternative! My optimism comes from people's desire for peace and development, not conflict in the future.

Many fear that war can be an alternative?

Hashim Thaci: No, there will never again be war between Albanians and Serbs -- namely, thanks to this peace agreement, which can be achieved in the coming months. Who prevents reaching the peace agreement take on the responsibility of other interethnic Albanian-Serbian tragedies and perhaps even wider.

The most controversial issue is the exchange of territory between Kosovo and Serbia. What are you gonna do?

Hashim Thaci: Peace agreements are aimed at balancing the interests of the parties. Kosovo has succeeded because it has always compromised with the international community. Such an agreement would regulate all open issues between Serbia and Kosovo -- people undiscovered, refugees, economic co-operation, the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo and, above all, the border between the two countries. The deal will be final.

When will the peace agreement be reached?

Hashim Thaci: The road to peace will certainly be much shorter than the long period of past conflicts. 13,000 Kosovars were killed by the Serbian state, 20,000 women were raped, and more than one million people have been forced to migrate. Unfortunately, none of these events have been handled in any court until today. However, we cannot live in the past, but we must look forward. We need decisions so that history doesn't repeat itself. In peace, everyone will win, with war they will all be lost. People want no more war, but peace, justice, development and prosperity.
People never want war, but politicians always promote wars...

Hashim Thaci: Yes, there are still people in Serbia and Kosovo talking about war. This is dangerous. This makes the peace agreement even more important. If we fail to reach agreement now, I cannot rule out that there will be conflict in the future. We note that nationalism and radicalism are growing on both sides. Now is the best time for peace. /Periscopi