German Ambassador to Kosovo: We need more elections, parties agree to president

In an interview for the Kosova Prees Independent News Agency, Ambassador Rohde pages for the election process under way in Kosovo, the necessity of holding free and fair elections, his desire not to have a political crisis after the election epilog, etc.

He says it is time for the new government to begin seriously that “words toʹte with works” combating corruption and crime substantially, to improve Kosovo's image in this direction. In terms of dialogue with Serbia, the new government needs strong parliamentary support where it needs to invest political capital and political will in this EU-attensible dialogue, because it is unthinkable that the EU will accept new member states that do not recognise each other”.

Kosovaress: Mr. Ambassador, current political developments in Kosovo are at their peak as a result of the political struggle for the February 14th elections. What is your view of these developments?

Ambassador Rohde: Election time is always filled with drama and emotion. We as the ambassadors of Quintus and I have personally in some cases expressed our continued commitment to free, secure and peaceful elections on February 14th. We believe that the people of Kosovo deserve calm and caution from all sides. We urge everyone to refrain from personal attacks that provoke tensions and speculation. While the people of Kosovo weigh their decisions, he deserves to hear detailed political proposals on the part of politicians, who associate with arguments and are in the spirit of intelligence debate.

Kosovaress: Perhaps for the first time, the election process in Kosovo is facing a challenge that does not seem to be easily passed. It's about the inability to run the criminal record with firm judicial decisions within the three-year period, while political subjects affected by the Constitutional Court's decision and the CEC's determination to implement it demonstrated public outrage, calling it an injustice. What do you think in this regard?

Ambassador Rohde: Rule of law and respect for the regular process are above all. The Central Election Commission must ensure that the election process is transparent and without political interference. It is essential to respect legal decisions and follow the roads and use legal means without interference.

Kosovaress: How do you imagine Kosovo after the February 14th elections?

Ambassador Rohde: Soon we will have the third elections held and several governments formed within three years. Very necessary is a stable government which, ideally, would result in its full legislative mandate. The last thing people in Kosovo need would be a set of elections later this year if the parties do not agree on the issue of the country's president.

Kosovaress: As the representative of a friendly state of Kosovo, what do you think would be the most important step Kosovo leadership would have to take after the February 14th elections?

Ambassador Rohde: Beyond reconciliation over the president's issue as the first priority for the new government, I see the job as effective as possible to overcome the overall and devastating economic, financial and social consequences caused by the pandemic. That's for all governments in Europe and find out, of course, but the issue is even harder when you're not a rich country. Here close co-operation between governments, including those of neighboring countries, is a duty. In addition, I see two priorities for Kosovo:

First, it is the time for the new government to seriously start replacing words by works fighting corruption and crime substantially: unfortunately the 2020 corruption index, published last week by Transparency International, has discovered a disturbing trend for Kosovo and other Western Balkan states as well. For the fourth time in a row, Kosovo has been misappreciated in the ranking by recently slipping to 104th place. This disappointing situation is also highlighted in the EU Progress Report on Kosovo, which says: “corruption is widespread and remains a serious issue of concern. There is a need for a strong political will to address corruption issues”. Do not take seriously this EU concern will undoubtedly negatively affect the further process of Kosovo's EU integration.

Second, Dialogue with Serbia. A new and stable government with strong parliamentary support needs to invest political capital and political will in this EU-launched dialogue as Serbia needs to make the necessary progress for a comprehensive agreement aimed at full normalisation of relations. That, in turn, will further pave the way for EU membership, because it is not imagined that the EU will accept new member states that do not recognise each other.

Kosovaress: Mr. Ambassador Germany was the chairman of the European Union presidency during the June period of December 2020. At the time Germany took over the lead, there were many optimistic voices in Kosovo that there would be some progressive movement in terms of visa liberalisation for Kosovars. But nothing happened, please tell us whether this was the result of the deep political crisis in Kosovo or was there a lack of compliance between the European leadership?

Ambassador Rohde: Well, there's a national and international aspect here. From the international aspect, we would have wanted to achieve more progress during our presidency. We have represented the issue for discussion in Brussels, but still further we are facing scepticism expressed by several member states. For this reason we have repeatedly called on the Government of Kosovo for a more active commitment to these member states that are still skeptical. From the national aspect, news about continued political instability coming from Kosovo clearly does not contribute to resolving this issue, as does the lack of progress in fighting corruption and strengthening rule of law. We will need more good news coming from Kosovo in 2021.

Kosovaress: Germany is the most wanted country by Kosovars to go there to work or live, while authorities there many times warn of the necessity of creating political and economic stability in Kosovo so that the influx of Kosovo asylum seekers in Germany can be reduced or eliminated altogether. What would be your message in this regard?

Ambassador Rohde: You already gave the answer: The most attractive countries for EU integration, or in North America, are economically and politically stable. Most people would not leave their homeland unless they see a future for them and their children there. Kosovo citizens are still interested in applying for working visas for Germany, even though currently ʹ due to the continuation of the Framework Framework pandemic we can only issue visas for a limited number of categories.