Weller: Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, best period for mutual recognition

He in an interview for Kosova Prees, following a lecture he has had with college students AAB, says economic growth is very important for the country.

I first want to congratulate the people of Kosovo on the successful election of the government, Winston Churchill once said “Democracy is the worst form of government until you try all options”. Certainly Kosovo for years since independence continued to be a strong democracy, a broad democracy, and now we have a government in the country commending the prime minister and members of the coalition government for achieving their partnership. Of course, economic growth is very important at the university today, and this AAB university is training young people for the future, young people who have the hope and the potential for economic growth that is so important for Kosovo's future, as well as the Balkan region, and we certainly want to encourage the new government to focus on policies that attract investment, increase export and create jobs especially for the new generation of people of this country, he said.

He says it is the voice of free market and that he does not believe in tariffs, but adds that it is very important that relations between Kosovo and Serbia should move forward to ensure that there is an equal integration of the two economies.

“Of course, the relationship between Kosovo and Serbia is a relationship for which to work between the two countries, I am the voice of free market and do not believe in tariffs. But I can tell you that this is very important that the relationship between Kosovo and Serbia should move forward to ensure that there is an equal integration of the two economies and that trade can move forward and certainly helps both states”, he says.

As for Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti's warning that reciprocity will be imposed against Serbia instead of the 100 per cent tax, Welle says it encourages equal treatment between the two sides for products further traded on the border.

“Of course again the idea of reciprocity is equal treatment, and of course the prime minister and others have made it very clear they believe that trade between Serbia and Kosovo should be equal. This is the ultimate goal of the integration of the region, and of course I want to encourage equal treatment between the two sides for products further traded border”, he says.

Welle points out that it is the best period for Serbia and Kosovo to have formal recognition.

“Well it is really in the best period for Serbia and Kosovo to have formal recognition, as well as to have formal diplomatic relations with your neighbours, and you will be neighbours for a long time and opportunities to increase trade in free movement between the two countries is very important. I really commend President Trump's special envoy to the region Ambassador Greenell for the role he has played in advancing the restoration of airlines between Belgrade and Pristina and for the possibility of the railway line, and in addition to that, of course, for economic integration will be good for both countries to increase job opportunities in both countries in Kosovo and Serbia, and we want to postpone it before”, says Weller.

He says Kosovo has a real opportunity to expand its trade for the sale of products in the US, which would affect the increase in the number of factories and increase the number of jobs.