Hoxhaj for “Die Presse”: My government will be pro-European and pro-Western

In an interview for “Die Press”, Hoxhaj has stated that they participate in a government only if he is guided by himself and that however it should be pro-European and pro-Western. For dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, Hoxhaj as prime minister has said he does not participate in a slow technical process, but only in a large meeting, attended by the US, the EU, Belgrade and Pristina, on a key topic: mutual recognition between Serbia and Kosovo, and that is all.

Die Presse: Serbian President Aleksandar Vučic has offered to organise Belgrade's campaign for anti-covid vaccination in Serb-run areas in Kosovo. Kosovo politicians are against it. Why?

Enver Hoxhaj: We need vaccines for all Kosovo citizens, not only for Serbs. Vučichi is not interested in helping. He makes politics with this. He's already tried it with Corona tests. Like Russia and China, he wants to abuse humanitarian aid for geopolitical purposes. We can't accept this.

Die Presse: At the same time, Belgrade's support bid is the only one for Kosovo so far...

Enver Hoxhaj: The EU and the US offered Kosovo Corona tests last year. We are grateful for that too. But, so far, the EU has not been able to help Kosovo secure vaccines. The current Kosovo government has failed to link contracts over time to bring in vaccine doses to the country. As leader of the opposition, I've spoken to several countries. I hope Austria and other countries help us in the future.

Die Presse: What do you expect from the new US president, Joe Biden?

Enver Hoxhaj: President Biden is very familiar with problems in the Balkans. I also met with him several times in the quality of Kosovo's foreign minister. With Biden in Washington, there may be a new diplomatic moment. This should be used by the EU, but also by Kosovo and Serbia. When Americans and Europeans are on the same side, they can get the best out of this situation. This is one of the last chances of normalising relations between Kosovo and Serbia.

Die Presse: What does normalization mean?

Enver Hoxhaj: For us this means mutual recognition as two independent states.

Die Presse: President Donald Trump also tried to reach an agreement between Serbia and Kosovo. What happened to him?

Enver Hoxhaj: That was very important. Trump wanted to achieve diplomatic progress by normalising economic relations. The deal also aims to stop Russia's influence on the energy field in Serbia and China's at 5G. This is also of geosistically important to the EU. What the agreement lacks is the mutual recognition of Serbia and Kosovo.