Palmer: New economic opportunities make reaching a final agreement with Serbia easier

“New economic opportunities and foreign investments in Kosovo and Serbia can make it easier to reach a final agreement between the two countries “- Palmer said.

According to Palmer, the U.S. is mutual recognition.

The US's “goal is that the essence of the agreement be mutual recognition, remembering that the dialogue process is destined for compromise “- Palmer stressed.

He added that Richard Greenell, the US Special Presidential Envoy for Peace Talks in Kosovo and Serbia, is in the best position to do so.

Matthew's Complete Interview Palmer:

Radio Free Europe: Mr. Palmer, this is the first time you have visited Kosovo since this state has held parliamentary elections. How do you see as the United States representative the outcome of this election?

Matthew Palmer: The United States is less interested in the outcome of the elections compared to the process itself. If you look at the process, I think you should consider it extremely successful. Kosovo is probably the most active democratic space in the Western Balkans for now.

We had elections on October 6th. No one knew who would win. The parties have competed on the basis of ideas, the media have been challenging political leadership, they have competed in media spaces, again on the basis of ideas. Current election behavior has been pretty good. So, looking from that perspective, so what the elections for Kosovo democracy say, I think it constitutes good confession. As for the result, the message to me, the message to us, has been that the public in Kosovo has sought to see change. And they voted for change. I believe that the projected government, the leaders of parties that climbed the highest on 6 October, understood this message.

Radio Free Europe: Talks on the future government are continuing among the parties that already lead, the Vetevendosje Movement and the Democratic League of Kosovo, and, as they say, a final political agreement on forming the government can be reached after the certificate of results. According to you, what should be the first steps of the new government?

Matthew Palmer: I think the new government should determine the nature of its program. I know the priority of leaders of these two parties is, as they have expressed, their internal agenda, fighting corruption, facing organised crime, promoting transparency and good governance. This is an agenda which the United States actively and strongly supports. At the same time, we hope that the new government will move to urgent bases, identify a way back to the dialogue with Serbia, turn into negotiations and work parallelly to reach a full agreement to normalise relations between Kosovo and Serbia. We believe that these two agendas, domestic and international, are complements, not competitors.

Radio Free Europe: As you see Vetevendosje leader Albin Kurti, as possible Kosovo prime minister. Do the United States view him as a partner?

Matthew Palmer: Of course, it is our hope and our expectation. This will be the first time that Vetevendosje will be in government. This will be the first time Kurt will be in public position if things go as everybody expects. We will see him as prime minister, if he manages to win this position for himself and his party. We expect him to be a good and powerful partner of the United States, in addressing internal challenges here in Kosovo, in promoting good governance and accountability, in promoting economic growth, but also in supporting an agreement with Belgrade for full normalisation of relations. So we hope and expect this to be a priority, too. New government.

Radio Free Europe: Albin Kurti, as a possible new prime minister, has stated that he does not see the Serbian List as a partner in forming the government, viewing it as a protracted hand of Serbia in Kosovo. He said he would prefer to include political representatives of the Serb community who have accepted Kosovo's independence. How did you comment on that?

Matthew Palmer: I think the Serbian List is a party created by the Serb community to represent its interests in Kosovo politics. It would be essential that the government include and work with them, and accept their constitutional role in Kosovo politics.

Radio Free Europe: How do you view other Serb representatives?

Matthew Palmer: I think there is room for the government to engage extensively with more actors in this process.

Radio Free Europe: A few weeks ago, representatives of the possible government coalition have said they are aiming to remove the tax imposed on Serbia's imports, which is considered an obstacle to Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, and to replace that move with the <x0-reciprocity total” policy, meaning that Kosovo will take mutual steps, given Serbia's behaviour. How do you see this proposed policy? Can the American government support him?

Matthew Palmer: We, of course, would support lifting or suspending tariffs on urgent grounds. We have asked our partners in Kosovo for this at one time and we have been depressed by Kosovo's unwillingness to make such a decision. As for reciprocity, this sounds like something that can be negotiated with Belgrade on the table. Therefore, I hope that the Kosovo government, the Kosovo authorities, can find a way back to negotiations and then through that process to address challenges that limit or reduce the possibility of Kosovo citizens and those of Serbia in doing trade and business freely with each other.

Radio Free Europe: During the discussion with students you said you met with Mr. Kurti two days ago in Skopje. Have you received any promises or signs, have you seen that Mr. Kurti, if he becomes prime minister, will lift the fee and return to negotiations?

Matthew Palmer: I don't want to speak in the name of Mr. Kurti, but he will speak on behalf of the United States and we would like to see the new Government of Kosovo, embracing as politics or as strategy, moving forward towards reconciliation with Serbia.

Radio Free Europe: Whom do you see at the top of negotiations on dialogue with Serbia? Prime Minister or President? You have recently said at a session in the Senate that Serbian President Aleksandar Vuciq and Kosovo President Hashim Thaci are ready to negotiate an agreement.

Matthew Palmer: This decision belongs to Kosovo, as it wants to co-operate. Kosovo must create a way back to negotiations, to determine for itself, the way it wants to be represented, though one person or one team should move forward in dialogue that has power and authority and can negotiate with anyone who puts forward Serbia in that process. Then it must also decide on the negotiating substance, what does Kosovo want to provide through these negotiations?

Radio Free Europe: Do the United States support Kurti's statement about whether to establish principles before returning to the negotiating table? Is that necessary?

Matthew Palmer: Again, Kosovo must decide for itself how it wants to approach these negotiations. It is not clear to me, however, whether the principle discussions involve principles for Kosovo to decide for itself or for principles Kosovo should negotiate with Serbia. If that is the latter, the only way to achieve this is to return again to this process, again to the negotiating table to negotiate with Belgrade about the parameters of negotiations. Whether it is about negotiating principles between representatives of Kosovo institutions or among political parties, then it seems more like distraction, from the need to return co-operation with Belgrade.

Radio Free Europe: It is said that the American government can have an economic plan for Kosovo and Serbia, to encourage a political agreement by offering economic incentives for both sides. During a hearing session in the Senate, you have mentioned that through this economic plan, along with political commitment, you will help the parties find a lasting agreement between themselves. Can you explain more to us what economic and commercial incentives are?

Matthew Palmer: The way we see this, and I think Ambassador Green has been clear at this point, is that it is American and European businesses that would be willing to invest in Kosovo and Serbia, which are reluctant to do so because of lack of security. The political climate is such that it cannot afford international investments in these two countries. So, can we identify businesses that are willing to, under the right circumstances, with progress towards solutions, bring money and foreign investments to Kosovo and Serbia by creating jobs, economic opportunities, to contribute to economic growth, on the basis of progress in this relationship. Is that the idea? I think no one is in a better position to address this than Ambassador Richard Green.

Radio Free Europe: Meanwhile, Serbian President Aleksandar Vuciq is repeating his invitation to the German company “Volkswagen” to open a factory in Serbia. Could the company “Volkswagen” be an economic perspective for Serbia, but also for Kosovo?

Matthew Palmer: I am unable to predict which deals, incentives or investment opportunities can be presented. But, of course important American and European companies are potential investors in both economies.

Radio Free Europe: Do you think these investments will take place after the possible reach of the agreement between Kosovo and Serbia, or in parallel with the agreement talks?

Matthew Palmer: I think parallel. The very act of creating economic incentives would facilitate reaching a political level agreement. But of course, with a sense of urgency, quickly identify some of these businesses and trade opportunities, and use them as a driver in this political process.

Radio Free Europe: You have said President Vuciq is willing to negotiate agreements considering that the US wants mutual recognition between the two countries as final solution. Does this mean that Vuciq is willing to recognise Kosovo, and at what cost?

Matthew Palmer: It's not mine to decide. These are negotiations. I can't tell you where the parties are going with these negotiations. But, I can tell you with certainty that our goal, what we want to see as a result through this process of dialogue, is an agreement that at its core has mutual recognition. That is what would pave the European way for Kosovo, Serbia

Radio Free Europe: At what level do you expect flexibility from Kosovo to reach agreement with Serbia?

Matthew Palmer: Again, it is up to Kosovo to set its commitment parameters. I can't mention numbers, example seven levels. That's not how it works. But I'm going to seek creativity, seek political will and commitment to compromise. And, Kosovo is not only being asked to deliver in this process, it will also gain from this process, so it will advance and protect its interests. This is the nature of negotiations, of dialogue. This process is essentially compromise.

Radio Free Europe: Can the US accept a solution that empowers a Serbian entity within Kosovo?

Matthew Palmer: I don't understand what you're thinking with “empowering” of the Serbian entity. I think there's room for creative thinking in this respect. There has already been a creative job with regard to the idea of the Serbian municipalities' association. I think more work has to be done in that direction. But, there are many opportunities for the parties to find a way forward that respects and reflects the interest of Kosovo and Serbia, as well. No one should lose in this process. Both sides can earn more than lose.

Radio Free Europe: As for association, we are aware that Serbia would sooner like it more as an organisation with executive competencies than Kosovo Constitutional Court has decided?

Matthew Palmer: There's a lot to do. But I will not negotiate the agreement on the basis of one or the other. I will support the process, work with the parties to help them reach agreements, which they can adapt and adopt as their own.

Radio Free Europe: Seeing the EU's failure to start accession negotiations with Northern Macedonia and Albania, do you believe such a failure affects the possibility of an agreement between Kosovo and Serbia, as “EU membership” was seen as a significant carrot to force the parties to reach a political solution?

Matthew Palmer: Of course, I think it's a deeply negative message for the entire region. I think that negative message has been sent not only for northern Macedonia and Albania, but also creates a negative atmosphere for the dialogue process. The European Council's failure to reach a compromise is deeply unfortunate, and I believe it returns the process and sends negative messages to both sides. But the parties must go beyond that. It is in their best interest to do so, and I believe that the European Council will find a way to move forward, both for northern Macedonia and Albania, and that they will again focus on the European perspective of the entire region.