LDK accuses Vetevendosje of blocking visa liberalisation

Muhamet Hamiti, a member of the head of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), in an interview for APUarta Blicı, says visa liberalisation does not depend on Kosovo-Serbia dialogue. According to him, the Kosovo government should not allow this issue to connect with dialogue.

Kosovo has been wronged for visas now and every year, although our country, during past governments, has met all established criteria, more than any other European country that has already received visa liberalisation. Visa liberalisation does not depend on Kosovo-Serbia dialogue. The Kosovo government does not allow this issue to connect with dialogue, but it should do its best, as long as it is in its power, for the political dialogue to reach a comprehensive agreement with mutual recognition of Kosovo and Serbia to continue. Do not fall into the trap of Serbia, which is interested in status quo, turning the process into dialogue on practical issues, as it is currently doing”, Hamiti says.

Hamiti has accused the Vetevendosje Movement, which at the time had opposed the adoption of demarcation in the Assembly, which, according to him, has contributed to the loss of the case indefinitely.

The opposition “Movement (LVV), now in Government, is not to blame for the visa liberalisation work. We had the opportunity until years later that, with the consent of the demarcation, we could obtain visas. The VV with other irresponsible partners then had violently opposed the adoption of demarcation in the Assembly. As a country we lost our chance for an indefinite time of”, he appreciates.

As for today's EU-Western Balkans summit, which was held in Brdo, Slovenia, he says neither Kosovo nor other countries seem to have been asked about the Summit Declaration.

Neither Kosovo nor other countries seem to have been asked for the Summit Declaration (Brdo, October 6, 2021), through which, reported at the first point, “The EU reaffirms its clear support for the European perspective of the Western Balkans and welcomes the commitment of Western Balkan partners to the European perspective, which is in our mutual strategic interest and remains our common strategic choice.” With this pledge for the “European perspective” we are from 2003. 18 years now. The important thing is that, as stated at 10th point in the statement, The EU outlined an Economic Plan and Investment (PEI) and guidelines for implementation of the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans. “Plani stipulates a significant investment package that mobilised around 30 billion euros for the region over the next seven years, comprised of 9 billion euros in grant financing and 20 billion euros in investments, exploitable through the new Western Balkans Guarantee Tool.”, is quoting from the statement. There will be work for the Government of Kosovo here; if it will be able to take advantage of this” package, he declares.

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, together with Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Affairs Minister Donika Grovalla and Minister of Finance, Labour and Transfers, Iron Murati, attended the summit between the European Union and the Western Balkans in Brdo, Slovenia.

In his address at the plenary session, Prime Minister Kurti said the Republic of Kosovo has a democratic government and institutional stability.

Stressing that over three years have passed since the European Commission recommended visa liberalisation for Kosovo for the second time, the prime minister called on sceptical leaders in the EU to accept progress in Kosovo and abolish the visa regime for Kosovo citizens.

Kurti's full speech in Slovenia: Name the presence of Russian ambassador at the Kosovo- Serbia