Pacolli after Haradinaj's meeting: AKR backs tax waiver, dialogue resume with Serbia

AKR chairman Behgjet Pacolli has attended this meeting called by Ramush Haradinaj,

Through a Facebook status, Pacolli has announced that at this meeting, where it has been discussed on co-ordinating steps about dialogue and achieving national unity, he has presented the AKR's stance, which supports tax removal.

Pacolli's full delivery:

Honored President Haradinaj,

Dear colleagues,

I welcome President Haradinaj's call for this meeting and the start of talks between the president and parliamentary parties on establishing unity on the political scene in the country on Kosovo-Serbia dialogue and strategic relations with the United States.

I would like to raise some issues that express my attitude on subjects for what this meeting has been called and our need for action.

Since the beginning, the New Kosovo Alliance (AKR) has supported the removal of the trade tax for Serbia and the start of a dialogue on normalising Kosovo-Serbia relations under US leadership. Kosovo has gained independence because of the American leadership, and we have been liberated because of the American leadership. The time has come to become an internationally recognised state and to resolve relations with Serbia under the American leadership. There is no more reliable and committed mediator to Kosovo than the United States of America.

We thank the European Union for its role in the dialogue so far, but we have no time to lose and we must permanently normalise relations with Serbia through mutual recognition.

Under American leadership and European support, Kosovo has always succeeded, and we will succeed again because we trust the American leadership.

Never before have I been more concerned about the orientation Kosovo is receiving today. For the first time, senior American officials are demanding the withdrawal of American troops from Kosovo because of Kosovo's behaviour and reluctance to support the American leadership. It is time for the government to take the situation seriously and take action in line with American demands.

The opposition has differences in its shades, but the opposition remains united in protecting Kosovo's relations with the United States and preserving its military, diplomatic and economic presence in Kosovo. Without the support of America, our security, our territorial integrity and our international position are at stake. This last game that questions the importance of American troops in Kosovo is dangerous and requires our response beyond party differences.

We must have unity. We should put aside our differences and unite forces for the grand goal of raising Kosovo's flag to the UN. The AKR will play its constructive and supportive role for the unity of the political scene. But unity is discussed between us and not in social media. To put away protagonism, set aside egos and create conditions for constructive co-operation in the country's best interests.

We must all support the American initiative to mediate Kosovo-Serbia dialogue. If we're afraid of America, we're trapped, who is that place that protects us if not America? So the first point of unity is to support the American leadership. American interests are our interests. There are no differences here.

Your Honor. Haradinaj,

Dear colleagues,

It is time for us to gather together and build unity. Any maneuver to avoid responsibility, avoid fleeing from the American leadership and not remove the barriers to dialogue is wrong.

We need to discern the process that needs to begin with. We should not enter the dialogue process and should be unified in dialogue. The deal is good when we are under way and work together for the sake of the country. We should not leave any empty chairs on the table of dialogue. If anyone has to do this, it's Serbia, not us.

Thank you.