Thaci for L Express: Paris summit paves way for agreement with Serbia

Speaking of the agreement with Serbia, Thaci has said he must convince Kosovo citizens to normalise relations with a state that only twenty years ago was killing us.

This is the full interview of President Thaci in the prestigious French weekly Léxpress:

L'Express: This week you will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the end of the war with Serbia. How far has Kosovo progressed since then?

We have been recognised by over half of the UN member states, we are part of more than 200 international organisations. Since our independence in 2008, we have maintained an annual growth rate of 4%. There are still many challenges: we have to provide jobs and prosperity. Internationally, our relations with Serbia, but also with the European Union, are our main issues.

L'Express: On July 1st, you will meet with your Serbian counterpart, Alexander Vuciq, in Paris, under the auspices of Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron. What do you expect from this meeting?

I hope the meeting will pave the way for an agreement with Serbia. If we cannot establish good relations with Belgrade, then we will never become members of the European Union or NATO. This is a golden opportunity. If we leave this opportunity, then our children will be the ones to pay for this loss. We would be at a stage of the frozen “conflict”, a situation that would threaten to pass at any moment. I trust Emmanuel Macron's pragmatism and vision. He is aware of the issue and knows that it is important to Europe.

L'Express: What compromises are you willing to make?

My goal is to reach a mutually favourable agreement. But it's hard. I have to convince the citizens of my country to normalise relations with a state that only twenty years ago was killing us: 800 thousand people were displaced, 400 massacres, 20,000 raped, 1300 children killed... Why were they victims of this genocide? Just because they were Kosovars.

L'Express: Is the exchange of territories with Serbia still the topic of discussion?

Never has it been discussed in exchange of territories, but when it comes to a comprehensive agreement, everyone knows that one of the main topics for discussion will be demarcation of the border between Kosovo and Serbia. It will not be an easy issue to resolve, as it is a very sensitive issue in the Balkans. I don't intend to change borders, but rather open them, as elsewhere in Europe.

L'Express: You have recently stated that Europeans are too divided to reach a peace agreement between Serbia and Kosovo and that an American intervention would be necessary. Do you still feel that way?

No one can replace Europe in this peace process; however, the relationship between Kosovo and Serbia is so fragile that there cannot be an agreement unless we have strong support from the United States. The Balkan summit, which was held in Berlin in late April, brought nothing concrete. No co-ordination with America had yet been made. I hope that at the summit in Paris, in early July, things will be different and that there will be full co-ordination between Paris and Washington.

L'Express: Do you think you can remove the visa regime?

Kosovo has met all conditions. We have met 95 criteria. The European Parliament and the European Commission have given us their approval. The decision now rests in the hands of the Member States. Kosovo is the most isolated country in Europe. Kosovars themselves think they are being treated as second-class citizens. We must have patience. We don't have any alternative for the EU. But if we cannot reach a visa agreement, then there is a real risk of seeing nationalism, population and extremism rise in Kosovo.

L'Express: There is a high level of corruption in the country. Do you think this hinders visa liberalisation?

Fighting organised crime is one of the conditions required by the European Union to lift the visa regime. A few years ago, we replaced one-third of Kosovo prosecutors, with Brussels' help. Of course, we can do more. But remember, as far as rule of law is concerned, we have been under UN and EU supervision for 20 years. We've been exercising a legal state since last year. How could we have been able to achieve for such a short time that large international organizations were unable to reach two decades?

L'Express: Are you worried that you can be charged by the Specialised Kosovo Judicial Institute based in The Hague, a court created to handle crimes committed during the conflict?

I am very proud to have been the political leader of the Kosovo Liberation Army (UÇK). I was one of the founders. Taking up arms to fight the Milosevic regime was the only way to survive and protect my people. Kosovars are shocked that no Serb has been arrested for genocide in Kosovo. Neither I nor my KLA friends have violated a single international law. Some individuals made mistakes, yet they are not equivalent to genocide. If the specialised court wants me to give a witness statement at The Hague, then I will respond positively. I can help justice and truth.