Von Croamon: Special Court Is in The Hague for Good Reasons

The rapporteur for Kosovo in the European Parliament, Violet Von Cremon, has shown hope that within six months, during the German presidency of the European Union, which has started on July 1st this year, the green light for visa liberalisation for Kosovo could be given.

In a conversation with Radio Free Europe, Eurodeputja Von Croamon has stressed that visa liberalisation for Kosovo will depend on a reasonable decision by the European Council and member states, “s which can be quite critical, not why they do not want Kosovo, but because of their internal opinion”.

According to her, some right-wing parties in countries like the Netherlands or France are exploiting the issue of visa liberalisation for their domestic needs.

But Von Croamon has shown hope that “French President Emmanuel Macron, in particular, understands that a successful result of dialogue can happen when Kosovo receives visa liberalisation”.

For this I hope that in this tandem -- German Presidency with the European Council and President Macro's political will -- it can eventually result in green light in the next six months. But this is just hope. I believe the pressure from the German side may increase, but it's possible we'll still have to wait. I hope this won't be much over”, Violet von Cromon said.

According to her, visa liberalisation for Kosovo no longer depends on the technical criteria, which, according to her, Kosovo has fulfilled all.

On this subject, she says she has also talked with Kosovo Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti, last week in Brussels, which has proposed forming a working group between Kosovo and France. According to her, this is a good idea, because if there are objective reasons and arguments, during the time when the French government is still reluctant regarding visa liberalisation for Kosovo, then this working group will be a good instrument to discuss the issue.

She also said that from conversations with colleagues in Brussels, she has failed to understand why member states have not yet decided about visa liberalisation for Kosovo.

Let's say, such is the political atmosphere or abuse that make right-wing parties in their countries”.

Violet Von Croamon values the fact that Kosovo and Serbia have continued the dialogue, which she says has supported since the beginning, and that commitment is required in this process. According to her, Kosovo's goal should be the most powerful European integration and that for this it has all the means.

You have a new and dynamic generation, well-educated people who speak several languages. They are Europeans and belong to the European Union. Therefore, a way for mutual recognition should be found for the agreement with Serbia. Without that, neither for Kosovo nor for Serbia will there be a place in the EU”, Von Croamon said.

The rapporteur for Kosovo at the European Parliament, 17 July, has visited the Specialised Chambers and Prosecutor's Office in The Hague, otherwise known as the Special Court. She had written on Twitter that they are <x0 institutions important for bringing justice to Kosovo and to hold responsible those individuals who are believed to have committed war crimes, regardless of their nationality”.

To this visit, it has reacted, through a tweeting text, deputy head of the Democratic Party of Kosovo and deputy of this party in the Kosovo Parliament, Enver Hoxhaj, calling Von Cremon's visit to The Hague as political interference.

Speaking to Radio Free Europe, Euro-Deputet Violet Von Croamon emphasises that her visit to The Hague was planned earlier, but that due to the coronavirus pandemic, it was postponed.

However, it says specialised rooms are an independent, very professional part of rule of law in Kosovo. According to her, it is very important that Kosovo has approved the formation of this institution in its assembly, following Swiss Euro-Depute Dick Marty's report, which it published in 2011 at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, at the time when it too was a member.

Commenting on the frequent criticism at the Special Court's address that it is unilateral, investigating only Albanians and not investigating Serbian crimes, Von Cramon says he has not asked the officials of this institution who is being interviewed, but adds that there is a resolution, and that they have Dick Marty's report, as well as clear intentions of why and how they will work, which crimes require evidence, and there is nothing to be criticized about.

They're law experts. The same people who are making criticism have voted for court”, Von Croamon said.

The importance of the Specialised Chambers, as she said, is vital to justice and law enforcement.

This is a very important pillar. Many victims have been affected by groups seeking justice. This is important for reconciliation, which is necessary. As you know, everything they make public, they do everything to penetrate the Kosovo public”, Von Cremon stressed.

She added that the tribunal is in The Hague for good reasons and, as she said, “everyone knows why it is so”. But, according to her, it remains part of Kosovo's legislation. / REL/