Wessel proposes to US ambassador suspension for 120 days

Wessel has said that Kosovo should not use constitutional policies against the US and the EU, by hinting in Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj's letter today.

Periscop has reported how Wessel and Haradinaj The American ambassador had proposed suspending the tax for 120 days at last week's meeting, but that this proposal was rejected by Costnet.

Read Wessel's full reaction:

Today I have met with US Ambassador to Pristina Philip Costnet. I appreciate and thank the American stance once again in public on supporting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state of Kosovo and our country's Euro-Atlantic perspective.

No doubt, the US remains our strategic partner and Kosovo's greatest friend in all phases and processes of freedom and statehood.

I want to make it clear that US commitments to NATO enlargement in the Western Balkans, the orientation of Western Balkan countries into the EU and the lasting peace in the region, through dialogue and good neighbourlyism, are also vital interests of our own state.

Kosovo does not need a confrontational course with the United States or the EU. On the contrary! The language of dedication to our key strategic partners, such as the US and the EU, will not help Kosovo either in defending sovereignty and territorial integrity, nor on its path towards Euro-Atlantic integration.

The Republic of Kosovo, which several months, has imposed a 100% customs duty on products originating from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The tax has been imposed in response to the political and diplomatic aggression of these two states against the state, our citizens and our goods.

This is a legitimate, just, proper decision and imposed on our institutions that are facing this aggression, so it will also remain in force as long as these states have such a policy against our state.

There has never been a tax, nor will there be any orientation against our main allies, the US and the EU, nor against their strategic interests in Kosovo and the Western Balkans.

I reiterate that American interests in Kosovo are also interests of Kosovo, and Kosovo's interests are also US interests. This is an undeniable fact, and it will always remain.

The meeting I invited last week, on January 23rd, along with Prime Minister and Ambassador Costett, has been fruitful and in the function of finding a transitional solution regarding the tax on Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The purpose of the meeting has been to get closer and not to moving away with the United States.

So, the serious concerns expressed in the latest statement by the American Embassy, as a continuation of President Trump's letter, but also the consistent American position on recent developments in our country, we take them with the utmost seriousness and we will respond constructively.

At last week's meeting I gave a concrete proposal, which I stand to the end. The customs tax should not be lifted, but it should be suspended for 120 days and during this period some concrete conditions for its suspension must be put into effect. And if after 120 days we don't have a new situation where the behaviors of Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina change radically, then the same tax goes on, but other decisions that automatically lead to full reciprocity with these two countries.

I believe this is a reasonable decision, which preserves the country's dignity, affirms the legitimacy of the 100% tax decision, but also balances Kosovo's very strategic interest, preserving and intensifying reports with our key partners, the US and the EU.

My position is that the tax should remain as the right decision of the Republic of Kosovo, but the temporary suspension, with only 120 days of duration, should happen as a measure of trust to the US and the EU, for these reasons as well:

Kosovo shows its steadfast devotion to the US and the EU, as well as to the priorities set for the Western Balkans, which we trust as a state.

Kosovo proves to be part of the peace and partnership policies and promotes them as its policies.

While the stance of the Republic of Kosovo is to give the chance to Dialogue on reaching the International Obligations Agreement between Kosovo and Serbia, for what the State Delegation has already been created, we must enable this process and resolve all open issues. We believe that dialogue is the most efficient and necessary means to overcome all disputes in the Western Balkans and that as a state we must be permanent promoters of these values.

Dialogue, as a process, can and should happen with a format and schedule that is determined to reconcile with our Western partners. But, the constructive approach of the Republic of Kosovo to this process should not be taken as a good one and serve as a beneficial opportunity for Serbia on its path to the EU, while Kosovo citizens are still isolated, without the right of free movement in the Schengen Zone.

Kosovo must be committed to successful conclusion of Dialogue. But if this process does not result in acceptable agreements for the Republic of Kosovo, our state will restore the 100% tax and take additional measures to establish full reciprocity to protect our political and economic interests.

Our political memory in Kosovo undoubtedly suggests that US demands have always resulted in positive actions for Kosovo and its citizens. The Rambouillet conference, the NATO intervention, the Ahtisaari Pack, the Independence of Kosovo, as well as the recent support for the establishment of the Kosovo Army, and many other decisions and actions, are the most overwhelming evidence that whenever we've been in line with the US we've only won and never lost.

In Kosovo politics, in our society, our people, there should be no doubt that Kosovo's harmonisation with the US brings only good to the people of Kosovo. On the contrary, only the harmonisation of Kosovo with the US is a guarantee of Kosovo's success in every respect. Thus, stubbornness against our greatest friend's demands is not a policy of statehood.

Our political decisions should essentially have the interest of the state and our citizens, not the irrational approach of individual, group and party political benefits.

Therefore, we have to go to Dialog more united and clearer than ever before. This is my approach, but also our coalition. Kosovo's constitution is our only mandate and base in Dialog. The sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unitary character of our state are inconsistent. Hence, there will be no exchange of territories or association of municipalities with executive competencies. Whatever decision may come from the conclusion of the Dialogue will have the stamp and will of the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo, through their elected in the Republic of Kosovo, as well as through the referendum.

In this process, we must co-ordinate our actions with our strategic partners, primarily the United States. And in that direction, no one should shake our trust in the United States, not even American faith in us. Any position that puts Kosovo on a confrontational course with the United States will never have my support.