Norwegian Ambassador: A final Kosovo- Serbia within the year

Ambassador Grøndahl has talked about the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue and co-operation between our country and Norway.

At first stopping in the security situation, the Norwegian ambassador said that in addition to concerns related to the attack on police officers in Zubin Potok, the situation in the country has generally been secure.

“I think so far, I have not seen any immediate concern as a direct effect of the conflict in Ukraine. And I think it's very important to be vigilant and careful, as you know, we rely heavily on the information we get from security organisations in Kosovo, like KSF and KFOR, EULEX and the OSCE, and so on. So we follow the advice and information we receive from the authorities in Kosovo and from the institutions. Of course, we are deeply concerned about the recent shooting in Zubin Potok. We have condemned this, we have supported the Kosovo government, we are concerned about these incidents, and we think they are a real threat to stability. For all I know, it wasn't possible to find out exactly who the authors were. So, I think we should expect to complete the investigation, but any such incident is absolutely unacceptable and this should not happen in any way. So, yes, as far as that specific incident is concerned, I think we have deep concerns, but at the overall level, I think that the region in and around Kosovo has been quite stable even after the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine”, dekaloi Gröndah in interview for Kosova Prees.

Serbia is the only country in Europe that has not been lined up in a line with the West to sanction Russia after developments in Ukraine, was even accused of becoming the gateway to Europe for the Russians.

In this regard, Ambassador Grøndahl says they are following closely what Serbia is doing.

“We are pleased that Serbia voted together with us and most of the world for the condemnation of Russia to the UN Security Council, and also for the expulsion of Russia from the UN Human Rights Committee, we are happy that they have followed the same line as any EU and NATO country, and the European continent, as well as Kosovo. But in terms of sanctions, we are obviously watching carefully what every country is doing in this regard. But so far, we're watching, what they're doing and it's certainly interesting to see what next step they can take when developments are going further”, Grøndahl followed.

Norwegian diplomat also talked about Kosovo-Serbia dialogue.

Recently, the parties disagreed to find a permanent solution to the license issue, while a next meeting has been warned on May 13th.

The ambassador says that, despite the provisional agreement with the stickers is functioning, a final solution is needed.

I hope very much and we need a solution to this situation. I believe that practically, the infectious ticket regime is functioning very well, but we absolutely support a final agreement on license plates, but also on all other issues that remain to be implemented by Brussels agreements. We would like to see freedom of movement, freedom of travel, so that documentation is accepted by all, car plates as long as they meet the criteria of best European practices for car plates. So I hope that soon there will be a solution to this problem, so that as soon as we get a free flow of goods, people, and travel. This is actually our” hope, Grøndahl said.

The Norwegian ambassador said he respects Kosovo's positions at the negotiating table and adds that it is good to be cautious. He reiterated that his country supports the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue that would produce a final agreement with mutual recognition.

Grøndahl added that he understands the difficulties and that there are still many issues to be discussed between the two countries, but both sides must make efforts to find solutions to open issues.

We respect Kosovo's positions and understand that this is not an easy deal to make. There are many considerations involved. I think it's really good to be careful and to consider the application. I don't think acceleration will be useful, because there may be problems, there are bypasses, so it's important to work very carefully and seriously about it. Of course, we support the Kosovo government for the dialogue process, for a positive process of dialogue to reach a final agreement with Serbia and the EU. That is what we say to the authorities in Belgrade, as well as to make efforts to achieve and find a common language with Kosovo on these issues. So, I understand it takes time, but I absolutely have hope, and I'm optimistic that at some point, I hope not too far, there will be a deal, but I don't think it will be an easy way, I think it will be difficult. I think there are many issues to discuss, and there are many complex factors that have consequences for both countries, and I understand that both sides would like to see what consequences can happen from reaching the agreement. But yes, we support the process, support the dialogue led by Lajcak in Brussels, and absolutely hope that the parties will reach an agreement. So that's absolutely our support”, he said.

Asked whether he is optimistic that a final agreement can be reached within this year, the ambassador responded with “po”.

“I hope so, I would like to say yes to that (achieving a Kosovo final agreement- Serbia within this year, absolutely. I'd like to say yes to that. We have about nine to ten months left this year. So I have a lot of hope. Yes<1>, he said.

Norway has consistently supported Kosovo through various projects, especially in the justice system, as well as with advisers for European dialogue and integration.

Ambassador Gröndahl says he already wants to focus more on tourism to bring more Norwegians to Kosovo.

“We have a limited trade co-operation with Kosovo, we have had a co-operation in the field of industrial production, but we have some money with which we support reforms in Kosovo, so rather what we have assessed, in establishing the justice sector in Kosovo. We've made considerable investments in the electronic system of drug management for courts, the Court of Justice in Pristina, which has had absolutely great success. We have also invested in economic growth in Kosovo through startup initiatives, and so on, we also support dialogue and institutions, as you know, I'm also working very concretely to see if we can do more in the field of tourism, because I think Norwegians would feel in Kosovo like at home, with mountains, beautiful villages, very hospitable people, very good food, and many good cultural events that happen all year long. We have direct flights from Oslo to Pristina several times a week. So, now after pandemic, I think it's time for us to tie Norway and Kosovo much harder than we could in the past”, he said.

Asked whether Norwegians have knowledge of Kosovo as a country, the ambassador responded to “as well as not”. Recalling the war period for which Norwegians had supported Kosovo Albanians, Grøndahl says he would like to see more people from his country visiting Kosovo.

Kosovo was absolutely in everyone's minds at the end of the years BAR90s because of the conflict, unfortunately, but that is so. So, I think many people feel pain for people in Kosovo at the time. Norway was one of the first countries to recognise Kosovo and we have supported Kosovo on its consolidation as the new European state. So, in that sense, I think Kosovo has good words in Norway. But as a tourist destination, I think we should do much more. We have approximately 17,000 Norwegians from Kosovo. They're doing a great job talking a lot about Kosovo in Norway, but I would like to see more people come here, because it's not too far away, people would feel safe and good in Kosovo. I also like mountains, and these places we talked about. So, I think this is absolutely possible to become more”, Ambassador Grøndahl concluded.