Haradinaj: Not only does the EU for dialogue have to include American President Merkel and Macron

From an early age, Ramush Haradinaj's family faced Serbian aggression, which led him to seek continued opportunity to protect, as he says his family and country. Ramush Haradinaj commander in the Dukagjini Operative Zone relates who was the driver of his commitment and his entire family in the war.

I was 12 years old in 1980 when axha, baca Smajl Haradinaj, then boys, girls and the whole family were imprisoned. And since then it has been a big change in the former Yugoslavia, it has been and since, especially in 80, a big change. Our family was also identified, positioned as a family who at the time called Seperatist, secessionist, who wanted to separate Kosovo from the former Yugoslavia. We weren't first generation. Other generations had that journey, for the good of Albanians, for the good of the nation. But then I was in elementary school all the time confronted by the fact that I met a family that was going against the state, that we were doing against the state. So as a child we naturally stood by, we stood on the other side that stood on the opposing side. And in the 1990s, when all Albanians left work, even Dad left his job, kept a store. So somehow the streets of Kosovo Albanians with the then former Yugoslavia were divided and the peaceful resistance known as the LDK, led by President Rugova, began. But also, at the same time, many groups began with their most controversial plans to even the first guerrillas, and it happened that we as a family should be the first in those early guerrillas. I'm talking about 91,92,93,94,”-Tell Haradinaj.

During the last war, Hilmi Haradinaj's family gave two martyrs to Kosovo, Lion and Shkelzen. Daut along with Rexhep Selimi and Muje Krasniqi, the KLA for the first time publicly introduced. Although Ramush Hardinaj in an effort to protect his village of Glodjan, who was attacked after the Jashar family's Presca, was seriously injured, the most difficult moment for him is the loss of his brothers.

If we didn't fight, we'd be killed more. He had the conviction that with a gun, someone escapes but without a fight and no weapons, we would all die. And it was expected that what happened in Bosnia earlier and through Croatia where they were killed and whole areas then were annihilated, and we here in Kosovo have convinced ourselves that much worse will happen to us. Only Fighters Can Save

Ramush Haradinaj

politician and former KLA fighter

His challenges have been many. Ramush Haradinaj was twice elected Kosovo prime minister, twice resigned from his post.

He's faced The Hague Tributal twice and he's been acquitted twice.

During the time they were called to The Hague, Mr. Thaci, Mr. Wessel, Jakup Krasniqi, was widely discussed whether the war was being exacerbated or it is an individual process,” said journalist Mulaj as she asked Haradinaj for his view.

Well, to be honest, these are mixed as processes. Although the charges are addressed to individuals, these individuals constitute a guide of what is known as our struggle for freedom and that war is at the foundation of who we are, the independence of Kosovo. There is great danger that along these processes, the foundations of who Kosovo is, who are Albanians in the Balkans are, will be weakened and damaged. So distort the truth of the Balkan wars. The forces of Serbia and Milosevic were those that committed the crimes. In these acts that address individuals in concrete cases again are incorrectly exposed or the truth of Kosovo's war, the justice of our war. We have fought first to keep ourselves alive, to keep our families alive, the defenseless people of this country, so it is absurd that Kosovo Albanians are located before justice filters even further,” Haradinaj said.

Reporter Esmeralda Mulaj also asked whether talks with Belgrade are difficult.

“We have given all those necessary confirmations that we are ready for eventual recognition at the existing borders. That's why I think the energy of the other side is required. So beyond Pristina's energy, the energy of the third party is also required. EU institutions like Borrell and Lajcak are not enough. So it requires the involvement of senior political decision-makers or the president of America or the one of Chancellor Merkel of President Makron. A high decision-making energy is required,” he said.

Haradinaj said a long-term strategy of co-operation with the US is needed, as it was for the establishment of the military. They must continue in the future. Although praising Donald Trump's contribution, he does not hide optimism for future President Joe Biden.

NATO membership is the next challenge for Ramush Haradinaj, who, even if he is not elected president, whose post he has expressed ambition, says he will not stop his work to make Kosovo part of Euro-Atlantic structures.

President or not Ramush Haradinaj will continue to dominate the discussion of Kosovo's past, present and future.