The behaviour of Vjosa Osmani and VV, the obstacle that Kosovo delayed “captures the last train” for visa liberalisation?

Demarket rejection with Montenegro, the obstacle to visa liberalisation, who opposed, one of the main criteria for Kosovo to walk freely in Europe?

President Vjosa Osmani, then deputy of the Democratic League of Kosovo, had been in the group of MPs who opposed demarcation of the border between Kosovo and Montenegro. She, together with several LDK colleagues, like Bulliqi Speed, now deputy and president of Podujevo in the ranks of Vetevendosje, had come out against their boss, Isa Mustafa, who led the government.

On the other hand, Albin Kurti was deputy in the Vetevendosje ranks, along with his party associates, chose violence as a political tool to prevent the session of ratification of Demarcing with Montenegro. It took three years to end a topic, the debates over which, over the years, were accompanied by violent acts, within sessions, and outside sessions on the streets of Pristina.
For this violence, which was committed by the Vetevendosje Movement in the Kosovo Assembly, there was no lack of criticism or harsher reactions from internationals in Kosovo.

It was the reaction of former US Ambassador to Kosovo Greg Delaway from the premises of the assembly, who said violence as a political tool has no place in Kosovo.

Today's “Day was a disappointment for me, people who have no idea, turn to political violence to fulfill their goals, this should not happen in Kosovo because, Kosovo is more than that. This should not happen in a European state. I have respect for all MPs who by democratic means are trying to achieve their goal, the transition of demarcation with Montenegro, so I encourage them to vote on the demarcation agreement”, Ambassador Greg Delaway said.

The throwing of tear gas into the assembly also condemned German Ambassador to Kosovo Christian Heldt.
This can serve as an example of the way to fight for ideas and politics at the country's top political forum”, Ambassador Heldt wrote.

Shocked with developments in the Kosovo Assembly, the chief of the EU office in Kosovo, Natalia Apostolova, also said.

“The events that took place in the Kosovo Assembly are not popular. I'm shocked what happened at the convent. Throwing tear gas into parliament in the country where the debate should be held is against EU principles, and this brings Kosovo forward to its democratic development. I congratulate the deputies who took the liberty of going back to the session and vote for demarcation”, Natalia Apostolova said.

It didn't take long, and the drop of tear gas in the Assembly had also reacted to European Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn.

I strongly condemn the use of tear gas. Such behavior has no place in democracy. On this important day, Kosovo leaders must be responsible and vote for the demarcation agreement. Their citizens can only benefit from this step towards visa liberalisation”, Johannes Hahn wrote in his account.

Was this behaviour of Vetevendosje, the obstacle that Kosovo delayed, “ta caught the last train” for visa liberalisation?

Former European Parliament rapporteur for Kosovo Igor Soltes had reminded Kosovo politicians of the time when the country was very close to lifting the visa regime for citizens before expressing criticism of the government's failure in the bloc's key recommendations. He had said that his predecessor's advice, Ulrike Lunacek, for ratification of the Demarket Agreement with Montenegro was not heard, while politicians' promises in campaigns often disagree with reality.

Kosovo was aboard the visa liberalisation train in 2016, along with Georgia and Ukraine. Aware of the EU's internal procedures, my predecessor, Ulrike Lunacek, warned Kosovo politicians many times that the loss of that train would slow the process indefinitely. That is why she insisted on ratification of Demarketing with Montenegro as soon as possible. But her advice was not heard. Kosovo is now off the train and we still do not know when Kosovo will be able to catch it again. This has been a lost possibility, and now Kosovo citizens are paying the cost of this”, Soltes had said.

No liberalization, support

Kosovo, as well as many years ago, is being given support for visa liberalisation, however, no concrete steps have been taken for a positive decision by the European Union.

Today, the EU-Western Balkans Summit has been held, where President Osmani has been present, yet failed to convince countries like France and the Netherlands to give the green light for visa liberalisation.

Osmani has said that there have been supportive statements for visa liberalisation for Kosovo, however, concrete steps are needed on the issue.

We have heard many supportive statements about Kosovo. First, for its European perspective, second for visa liberalisation and third for Kosovo's full alignment with the EU with sanctions against Russia. We have to go now from words to actions. We need concrete steps except statements. The decision on visa liberalisation must be made”.

Osmani said the statements should be turned into concrete actions and voted at the level of the council of ministers for liberalisation.

“has been the most positive statement we have heard so far about liberalisation, including from states that have been reluctant in the past have shown support today and called for progress in this direction”, Osmani said after the summit.

Osman, however, said he would mention no member state because he expects support from everyone. / P ERISCOPY/E. W/