Chocolate: Kosovo doesn't go to do “spectacular” in Berlin

The Berlin summit, held on April 29th, is expected to gather leaders of Western Balkan countries at an informal meeting to discuss joint development projects supported by Germany and the countries of the European Union. That meeting will bring together the leaders of Serbia and Kosovo, who have ceased communication since November last year. Once, this summit also marks Kosovo's first joint presentation in an international organisation, on the part of Kosovo President Hashim Thaci and Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj.

The two leaders of high state institutions share different positions on dialogue-related issues with Serbia, whether for the idea of changing borders or even in terms of suspending the customs tax, which the Cosova Government, led by Haradinaj, has imposed on imports from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. This tax is also seen as an obstacle to continuing political dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, eased by the European Union.

President Thaci supports the idea of possible border change and the removal of the fee for Serbian goods, meanwhile, Prime Minister Haradinaj has opposing positions on both issues.

Kosovo there does not go to show, but to present itself as a serious and willing state to take on the responsibilities that belong to us in the framework of strengthening peace and stability in the region, a dignified state that does not compromise anything when it comes to its state interest”, President Hashim Thaci's adviser, Bekim Free Europe, told Radio Colak.

According to him, Kosovo's delegation at this informal meeting will lead President Thaci on the basis of constitutional competencies as head of state, while positions will be harmonised on behalf of all Kosovo institutions. In the question of whether President Thaci and Prime Minister Haradinaj will meet before the Berlin Forum, Colak said there have been meetings between them, but there may be meetings Friday or in Berlin before the summit begins.

“The positions are clear and they are public and transparent even for the citizens of Kosovo. Kosovo goes to Berlin to make it clear also to visiting officials and neighbouring states that are independent and sovereign states and that our Euro-Atlantic perspective has no alternative, as well as that visa liberalisation should occur without further delays”, Colak says.

Asked whether President Thaci still supports the idea of overhauling borders, Colak said President “has a clear position that Serbia should recognise Kosovo without any conditions and compromise”.

“Of course, we are tasked to do our utmost to make the aspirations of Albanians living in the Presevo Valley to be a reality”, Colaku said.

Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj has also said Friday at a media conference that the Berlin Summit, which will be held on April 29th, is a multi-latheral meeting where various issues will be discussed. He said the positions the Kosovo government has are not only the position of the prime minister, but, as he said, are Kosovo's positions. He voiced conviction that there will be no dissonance between the positions of Kosovo President Hashim Thaci and him.

Economists at the informal meeting in Berlin are German Chancellor Angela Merkel, as well as French President Emmanuel Macron.

At this summit it has been said that it can be discussed Kosovo's tax on Serbia's imports, which Serbian authorities have cited as the reason for not continuing dialogue with Kosovo.