Slovakia to review Kosovo recognition issue only after agreement with Serbia

The Kostilnik for KosovoPress shows whether Mr Lajcak has closed his phone to Kosovo President Lajcak. Hashim Thaci and whether Slovakia will recognise Kosovo's independence if Kosovo fails to reach final agreement with Serbia.

Kostilnik has until provided details for the project to combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus, which this state has given to Kosovo, he has said Slovakia considers Kosovo as a part of the region with European prospects and that his country has embraced a constructive policy in the face of Kosovo

He has also commented on criticism in terms of the current EU special representative for dialogue, Lajcak, saying they were prejudiced and approach that goes against the values the EU stands on.

Kosovaress: The Slovak Republic has offered the Kosovo government the project to fight the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Can you be more specific about what offer this is about?

Costilnik: Let me brief on how the project was born in Slovakia. IT platform is a result of the civic initiative called Hakfre virus. Despite current circumstances, Slovak people maintain their sense of humor. The initiative has been launched to link the best public ideas to assist the Slovak government in fighting the Coronavirus. The so-called business accelerator Perry Talents has been supported by Microsoft, Norway a Virtual Medicine, and 934 ideas have created IT platforms. The goal of the platform is to create the opimal environment for the management of the peak explosion of COVID-19.

Could you elaborate more on the “distribution peak of COVID”?

Costilnik: Experiences by Wuhan and Italy show that it is not the virus as such responsible for the unfortunate deaths of a considerable number of people, but rather for the separation of the health care system. A lot of people could or could be saved during the pit, but there is no one to offer a helping hand. Slovak informal platforms available for Kosovars now also help to gather volunteers, educate them through video guidelines, and connect to hospitals. When the peak of the explosion comes, I understand that in Kosovo it is expected to be at the end of this month, hospitals know how to secure support where human resources are.

Who is suitable for volunteering?

Costilnik: First of all, an openhearted person who wants to help. We (in Slovakia) are looking for medical students, future nurses, future rescue workers, caretakers, non-based practitioners, pharmacists, midwives, lab assistants, biology students, etc.

How successful is the platform in Slovakia?

Costilnik: It is still difficult or more accurate premature to measure efficiency, the success of this agreement, because the blast point in Slovakia is also approaching. However, we believe, I will prove that it will be a very useful tool to manage the explosion. So far, more than 1300 volunteers and more than 50 hospitals have been registered on the platform. Thanks to the platform, 100 medical students have already volunteered in hospitals.

How did the Kosovo authorities react to this offer?

Costilnik: We have submitted our proposal to the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the prime minister's cabinet. So far, we have been contacted by people of “Let's Do It Cleaning Kosovo” a similar initiative here in Kosovo, to which we have offered direct contact with Slovak counterparts.

The initiative comes at a time when some Kosovo politicians severely criticise your former foreign minister and current special EU representative for dialogue Mr. You little pussy.

Costilnik: It's a clean coincidence. The IT solution in question has been outlined free of charge by educated Slovak personalities and is available for all people in the world, including Kosovars.

What do you think of criticism about Mr. Lajcak, who also have grounds in mind his actions?

Costilnik: Slovakia considers Kosovo a part of the region with European prospects. While I would not comment on the public discourse unfortunately and prejudiced about the appointment of my former minister for the position mentioned here, I would like to take advantage of this opportunity and explain some Slovak attitudes presented in Kosovo media in the wrong way. Slovakia has embraced a constructive policy in front of Kosovo! There are fruits of dialogue, unfortunately not much is discussed in public here, and that is why Slovakia is not as strict in its position as before (in the past). This Slovak stance has also manifested when the liberalisation of visas was in question Slovakia is not a problem, and we want visa liberalisation to be done as soon as possible -- and when it comes to your membership in Interpol we have not voted against you. Yes, we have voted against Kosovo membership in U - What? E SCO, because we think that Kosovo should do more to enter the UN system, and the first step is to resume Dialogue.

Has Mr. Lajcak closed the phone to Kosovo President Hashim Thaci?

Costilnik: Knowing Mr. Lajcak, it's really hard for me to imagine this kind of situation. In the world of world professionalism and cultivated customs, I personally rule out such a thing can happen.

Fear is that he will lean on Serbia's side and not be objective because Slovakia has not recognised us.

Costilnik: I understand your concerns, but I must repeat, it is an approach directed by prejudice that goes against the values that the EU stands on. So far, only people from the countries that recognised Kosovo directed Dialogue, and in what situation are we in? It's not good to think about the advantage of disadvantages, because if we fall into this trap, there will always be a party in a disadvantage.

So do you think Mr. Lajcak will be impartial?

Costilnik: I know my former minister is a professional in every particular sense. My experience is talking now. Therefore, I have no doubt that he will follow his extenuating role as a trusted and mandated person by the European Union, not Slovakia. All who represent Union are representing the common EU position, regardless of whether it comes from a country that recognises you or not is a person authorised by the EU!

When will Slovakia recognise Kosovo or will Slovakia recognise Kosovo if no agreement is reached with Serbia?

Costilnik: Slovakia has never had a hostile attitude towards Kosovo. Being created by the breakup, we have no problem with the new states. However, for us there is a difference between the citizenship of Kosovo and Montenegro, for example. Until Montenegro regained its independence based on the agreement between Belgrade and Podgorica, in the case of Kosovo, such an agreement is still lacking. By the way, sir. Lajcak as the EU's trusted (at the time), played a key role in facilitating the process, which defined the parameters of the referendum in Montenegro. Back to your question, Bratislava should see a deal, or a agreed agreement, between Pristina and Belgrade, in order to reconsider its position.

Will Slovakia recognise Kosovo's independence if Kosovo fails to reach final agreement with Serbia?

Costilnik: Recognition, like Kosovo membership vote in U NESTO, in Bratislava, will be set for the decision-making process, which would include Government and Parliament, what the political parties would say. Without the solution between Belgrade and Pristina, I find it difficult for some political parties to agree.