Borrell: I wanted Kosovo to be my first destination, Western Balkans my priority

Josep Borrell Fontelles, the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy High Representative and the European Commission's deputy chairman in an exclusive interview for Telegrafi has talked about his visit to Kosovo, his expectations for dialogue, final agreement between Kosovo and Serbia, and visa liberalisation.

European diplomacy chief Borrell has said that Kosovo needs a government to move forward decisively and meet people's expectations.

Borrell in this interview, speaking of the final agreement between Kosovo and Serbia, has declared that Kosovo and Serbia should have a final agreement as soon as they can resolve all open problems.

He has also spoken of the last agreement for the airline between Kosovo and Serbia.

“As High Representative, I have wanted Kosovo to be my first destination. The Western Balkans will be a priority during my mandate and, given my determination to advance the EU-led dialogue, I have wanted Kosovo to visit the region first. During my stay I want to listen and recognize Kosovo's counterparts as political leaders, but civil society as well. Normally, even the current political situation will constitute an important part of the discussion. I can only repeat our basic view, that Kosovo needs the government in order to move forward decisively and achieve the expectations of the people”, Borell has declared.

Borrell has also welcomed the signing of the agreement for Pristina airline Belgrade.

All agreements which advance the relations of Pristina and Belgrade, as is this of the airline, are welcome. Economic development and increased investment are key to the region and Serbia and Kosovo. That's clear. We continue to work together with the United States, since we have a common agenda for the” region, he said.

Borrell has said it is very important to finalise between Kosovo and Serbia so that the two countries can move on their European path.

It's a priority for the region, for member states and for me. That is why I have wanted to come to Kosovo and Serbia so soon. I personally am committed to spending time and trying to reach the final agreement. Both Kosovo and Serbia need to have a final agreement as soon as possible that solves all open problems. The current circumstances are blocking this. Much political energy goes towards normalisation or not normalising relations. It would be good for all this political energy to go for reform, investment or environment. That is why the present state cannot last any longer. No status quo. The status quo means walking back. Serbia and Kosovo must have the final agreement in order to walk in their European ways”, the EU High Representative has declared.

Speaking of visa liberalisation, Borrell has stressed that Kosovo has fulfilled the criteria and that liberalisation has had to happen much earlier.

The visa liberalisation “is our common objective and should have happened much earlier. I know that Kosovo citizens want to travel freely to the states of the European Union, and the current situation makes them feel isolated. I cannot give promises about when visa liberalisation will occur, as this decision is made by member states. But, on my part and the Commission's side, Kosovo has fulfilled the criteria and it is time to move away”, he said.

While asked if he believes the final agreement between Kosovo and Serbia could happen this year, Borrell said the time when it happens is still in the hands of the parties.