Thaci for La Vanguardia: Kosovo is not Catalun, Spain is not Serbia

Therefore, according to him, the Kosovo case is unique and cannot be compared to any other part of the world.

Kosovo's “Rasti is special. In Kosovo there has been ethnic cleansing and genocide on the part of Slobodan Milosevic's rule. Spain is not Serbia, it is not governed by Slobodan Milosevic, nor is Catalunia Kosovo”, Thaci stressed in this interview.

President Thaci has again invited Spain to recognise Kosovo, since it would be the right decision.

He has also spoken of Kosovo's efforts to reach a peaceful comprehensive agreement on mutual recognition with Serbia, which would pave the way for Kosovo's EU, NATO and UN membership.

According to him, dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia should continue unconditionally on the part of Serbia, because a dialogue really makes sense when it is not conditioned.

“Tariphats are a decision of a sovereign state, are right, legitimate, will not be removed and should be respected”, Thaci says, calling on the EU to try “in a unified and co-ordinated manner with the US to complete the process this year “.

Thaci has also been asked about the establishment of the Kosovo Army, which he has said -- after Albania with Northern Macedonia -- is Kosovo's turn to join NATO.

It is our right, as a sovereign and independent state, to form an army and be a NATO member. This is a multiethnic and very professional army. More than 10% of the army is composed of minorities, half Serbs. After Albania's NATO accession and later northern Macedonia, it is Kosovo's turn to be part of”, he added

Kosovo's president has said that the European Union remains the best framework for modernising societies and maintaining the political and security stability of Western Balkan countries.

“Continue to believe that the best and most just solution for the Balkans is the EU integration of all countries at the same time, so that they do not block each other <x2x1>, Thaci said, alluding to several statements by former NATO Secretary General Javier Solana, whom he describes as a visionary “<3>.

“I think that the delay the EU is causing to the Western Balkans will have consequences. “is in nobody's interest that because of the internal issues of EU member states, the integration of the Western Balkans” is delayed, he added.

He has also talked about the visa liberalisation process, saying Kosovo has fulfilled all democratic criteria three years ago.

Unfortunately, the EU has not yet made such a visa liberalisation decision for Kosovo, and we are Europe's most isolated country”, it has concluded.