Albania has a more voice in the UN, as for visas the ball is in France

According to him, we are currently dependent on France on the issue of visa liberalisation, suggesting that the stop is in France.

Below is his full interview for Periscope.

Periscope: How can Albania's provisional membership in the UN influence Kosovo positively? Apart from the co-ordination among the foreign ministries, should any other special strategy be created for Kosovo's advancement?

Light Arifi: Normally, in the long term, Albanian diplomacy in general will positively influence Albania's new determination of the global agenda, so always on the side of the democratic world, because the UN has more undemocratic countries than within the Security Council(KS). Normally all of Albania's membership in the KS will have a very positive impact because we have one more voice and it's not a bit, but it's not enough because the Albanian Foreign Ministry has also stated that there will be two main points, they will be, for example, postponing or promoting peace and security in the Western Balkans on the political scene, and the second progress point or the process of recognition for Kosovo in the international arena.

At this point the foreign ministry of Albania and Kosovo must co-operate extremely closely, and Kosovo should also offer all its assets that are available in favour of the Albanian mission in the KS, if they co-operate in various agendas on how Kosovo can advance, or how to bring new recognitions because Albania has access where Kosovo does not have, and this thing is very positive.

Periscope: Based on Kosovo's current foreign policy situation, how should reflection in foreign policy begin, since there is no position-opposital co-operation in the field of integrations?

Light Arifi: Kosovo's government must create a healthy climate, linking a strategy with experts with civil society and opinion, creating a triangle then can produce more efficient and intelligent strategies, and better co-operation, always seeing the circumstances where Kosovo can co-operate in a bilate and multilatellal respect.

As far as integrations are concerned, only the opposition can play a significant role in the SAA agreement, and the agenda of European reforms, which should force the opposition to stand nearly any reform, so it must be raised as a matter where the European Commission has sought.

Periscope: In brief, if there wasn't a year-old mortorium as a consequence of the Washington (September 4th 2020) Agreement, how many international organisations do you think Kosovo would be joined under Kurti Government?

 Light Arifi: As far as the mortorium issue is concerned, Kosovo would find it difficult even when the mortorium expires, not that Kosovo has no capacity but because of the political power our country has, for membership in Isco, Interpol, and other organisations without a multilaternal co-operation is very difficult to join because sometimes there are states that have recognised us but do not support us.

Periscope: What do you think are the reasons for opening chapters for Serbia, aren't the European Union informed of Serbia's past crimes in the Balkans, implemented the necessary criteria, or is there the impact from the birth more specifically the Russian influence?

Light Arifi: I think there are two issues: The first is that the EU has violated every principle of its own -- namely, fundamental principles such as EU values, human rights, neighbourhood rights, etc. because it has opened chapters with Serbia knowing that in Serbia's constitution, there is a territory which Serbia does not control, the second principle is that it has not forced Serbia to apologise for crimes committed in the Balkans, reluctant to insist on this point.

The EU is trying hard to integrate Serbia into the Western world, some way by trying to distance it from Russian influences, but in the field the opposite has happened so it is a tactic that has not yielded results.

Periscope: What should the current government do about visa liberalisation, following meeting EU required criteria, besides lobbiing sceptical states like France and the Netherlands?

Light Arifi: Kosovo has met all criteria required for visa liberalisation, as it has also been confirmed in the progress report and approved by the European Parliament, but the problem is not technical political, because now and how long liberalisation is being linked to dialogue with Serbia that I think is a huge injustice being done to us as a state.

France is the main obstacle, not the Netherlands, because given France's power within the EU, it is sufficient for France to seek approval, and other states I am convinced will support such a demand.

I think there are two reasons for French scepticism, the first linked to the political processes of the Western Balkans, second to organised crime as if there is a danger from Kosovo's organised crime, recently given the problem we have had with Kosovo fighters who have gone to Syria, so different extremist groups. /Periscope