Abbott says he is concerned about rhetoric used by Kosovo, Serbia before and after dialogue meetings

Abbott has also spoken of the role of the United Kingdom special envoy for the Balkans and his role in Kosovo-Serbia dialogue.

He has told Telegrafi that Prime Minister Boris Johnson's envoy for the Balkans will help the EU in Kosovo dialogue Serbia.

The British ambassador further stated that the Kosovo-Serbia agreement means to accept that compromise, not concession, is necessary to reach a final agreement that pleases both sides.

Mr. Abbott, Great Britain is one of the main states that has helped develop today's Kosovo, what are today relations between these two countries?

Abbott: The UK and Kosovo remain very close allies as our relations are strengthened. Of course, we will always have a special bond as a result of the role of Great Britain in 1999, but our friendship has more than that inheritance. We are both modern democracy, looking forward, so it is important that our relationship now be based on the principle of modern Britain's work with modern Kosovo.

At the beginning of the New Year, Kosovo will host a United Kingdom delegation for our first group of official bilateral talks since the departure of the United Kingdom from the European Union. These will cover not only issues such as protection and security but also areas such as trade and investment. Given our common values and the ties created by the Kosovo diaspora in the United Kingdom, I think we can do much more to promote business and cultural ties between our two countries.

Kosovo is certainly also part of a region that remains of great importance for Great Britain. This week, the prime minister appointed a new special envoy for the Western Balkans, Sir Stuart Peach. I look forward to Sir Stuart joining the effort to address the challenges we share here. Sir Stuart brings much experience and knowledge about Kosovo and the region.

As for what this means for Kosovo, Sir Stuart will be able to support the EU-led Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, as well as issues such as war crimes and missing persons and promotion of the UK's initiative for conflict-related sexual violence.

Mr. Abbott, in Kosovo we have recently had parliamentary elections and power shifts at the country level, and we have just finished regular local elections -- how have you seen these developments in Kosovo?

Abbott: Both parties of the elections were well held. While parties may not strongly agree to the road ahead, in both national and local elections, party leaders accepted the results quickly and kindly, which Kosovars rightly take pride in.

Kosovo now has a welcome period of stability, with a government able to govern for a full mandate, which I hope will enable the realisation of the change which was voted on in February.

Mr. Abbott, Great Britain is involved in the process of helping select professional persons through Kosovo's boards and independent agencies- How happy are you with the process up to now?

Abbott: Yes, I am. We have supported Kosovo since 2016 through our Recruitation Project, which has so far been involved in about 100 recruiting processes. The project provides technical assistance in drafting and implementing the right and meritocratic process of recruiting for senior officials, including all genders and minority groups. We do this to support Kosovo's efforts against nepotism and corruption and improve the effectiveness of Kosovo institutions.

Over the past five years, we have seen a continued improvement in the quality of these processes and am pleased that in this final phase of the project candidates recommended with the best performance by British experts have been appointed. There are some recruiting processes that are pending appointment; processes that will have to be redirected from abroad; as well as others that Kosovo institutions have decided to cancel and repeat.

How have you seen the government's initiative for the system of justice vetoing process?

Abbott: We have supported efforts to strengthen the rule of law in Kosovo for some time. We have worked with the judiciary and government to conduct a functional review of the entire justice system, as well as its work on assessing options for implementing a vetoing process for the judiciary. So I'm glad to see progress. But in any country where such self - sacrifice is established is always a delicate process that requires caution to be implemented successfully. For this reason, we have encouraged the government to consult the Independent Venice Commission for this, and to listen carefully to other international partners' concerns.

How do you assess the Kosovo dialogue, Serbia, and what is the position of the United Kingdom on a final agreement?

Abbott: The United Kingdom continues to support normalising relations between Kosovo and Serbia through the EU-led Kosovo-Serbia dialogue and our new envoy will work in support of this process.

We support dialogue because we believe it is in the interest of citizens in both countries to reach an agreement that enables Kosovo and Serbia full integration into the international community, resolving past issues and building a better future for Kosovo and Serbia. It is vital for the security of the Western Balkans as a whole. Any agreement benefiting citizens of all communities in Kosovo and Serbia and guarantees their security will be supported by the United Kingdom.

However, recent slow progress in negotiations and implementation of existing commitments is disturbing. As this reflects the reality of a period with a new government in Kosovo and elections in both countries, progress in reaching a final agreement benefiting ordinary citizens is essential. Both countries should engage in trust with the process of dialogue and each other.

Part of this means acknowledging that compromise, not concession, is necessary to reach a final agreement that pleases both sides and their citizens. The public and political sphere must understand and accept this. I am also concerned about rhetoric used by representatives of both countries before and after dialogue meetings. This shuts down the negotiation space and limits the potential for change.

Finally, where do you see the most potential of co-operation and in what areas between Kosovo and the United Kingdom?

Abbott: I have already mentioned our co-operation in the defence and justice sectors, as well as our recruiting project. We also support Kosovo institutions, for example. strengthening tax administration and recognition of status for victims of sexual violence in conflict. We want to continue to expand this cooperation and we are looking at new areas where we can cooperate, such as cyber security.

As mentioned at the outset, there is even more that the United Kingdom and Kosovo can partner in global issues that threaten both sides. Whether we take measures for the environment or campaign against sexual violence against women and girls in conflict, or encourage new trade and investment, we will continue to be ambitious.