Wessel: We have to listen to America, the tax goes off

Kosovo's Parliament Speaker, at the same time government coalition leader Kadri Veseli, has said that the last letter from the US should be taken with full seriousness and it needs dignified reflection that preserves the strategic partnership and paves the way for dialogue to ensure that Serbia's independence is recognised.

In an interview for public television, RTK, Wessel has declared that state sovereignty and integrity are best protected by partners like the United States. He said that this is what the past has witnessed.

What we need to do as soon as possible is not to take things personally. It is not up to anyone to defend Kosovo alone, but neither to speak on behalf of Kosovo. This principle has to end forever. Let's talk institutionally, with institutional decision-making. I have no doubt, not the least, nor concern, that they have no commitment to all institution keepers and the state delegation to protect our state. But let us know how to protect”, the head of the Kosovo Assembly has stated among other things.

Total interview:

RTK: Mayor, United States of America has sent a letter to you, the president of Kosovo and the prime minister, and expressed much concern with the answers they are receiving from Kosovo institutions regarding the suspension of the tax.

Wessel: It's true. First, there is no need to come to this situation and to this letter. We need to understand and take the United States more seriously. This was also the reason that I made a proposal long ago, which has been intended to preserve the dignity of our state's decision making, because Serbia deserves not only 100 per cent tax, but also deserves the measure of reciprocity, because of its incorrect behaviour for two decades, to goods, citizens and our institutions as the Republic of Kosovo. But at the same time, it would also maintain partnership with the United States of America and the West and keep our country stronger, for the fact that state sovereignty and integrity are best protected by partners like the United States. This has been witnessed by the past, and so has the present.

There is no need to have this letter at all, and we dare not even allow that after nearly two decades of freedom, something that is legitimate decision making, which is state interest, to come up as a barrier or confrontation with partners, then be a kind of common and seemingly mutual bias, the United States with the Republic of Serbia. We have to be pragmatic and we have to take the United States more seriously, because we've come with it worthy and proudly to this day and we're going to go further together.

RTK: But it has already happened, the letter has come and their concerns are expressed. But you, even before the letter, even yesterday, had an appointment, last night was said informal. What is coming out of these meetings, how close are you as coalition partners? You have different positions: you are for suspension of the tax, while your partner, Prime Minister Haradinaj, is persistent that he will not suspend the tax.

Wessel: We run away from these populisms and some things that are only hurting us more, trying to compete between us. There's no competition between us. We have to have wisdom on how to overcome a self-curture situation, so Serbia does not benefit. We cannot let Serbia benefit. That's what I've been trying to do for a while, paying the political price for it, just to get through this challenge, which is a kind of self-curse we can get into. We have to maintain partnership with the US and West. No Western partner is currently on our side in the matter. But at the same time, we also have to preserve the dignity of our decision making state, because we will not kneel before Serbia. That's why I proposed a temporary suspension, which would immediately pass to a degree of reciprocity for which I have received the promise of both the international community and the United States of America. What we need to do as soon as possible is not to take things personally. It is not up to anyone to defend Kosovo alone, but neither to speak on behalf of Kosovo. This principle has to end forever. Let's talk institutionally, with institutional decision-making. I have no doubt, not the least, nor concern, that they have no commitment to all institution keepers and the state delegation to protect our state. But let's know how to protect it. Let's put out a conflict, even too small, with partners like the US and the European Union in first place and in no way allow them to come out with Serbia in the same position. This is wrong”.