Osman for Open “Balkan”: It's also professionally analyzed, it doesn't treat countries equally.

In an interview for the Montenegrin news agency, MINA, Osmani said the initiative in Kosovo has been analysed politically, but also professionally.

We have come to a decision that this is not an initiative that would treat Kosovo as an equal partner. On the contrary”, Osman said.

She estimated that with the “Open Balkans initiative”, Serbia's president, Aleksandar Vuciq, is trying to expand his hegemonistic approach throughout the region and treat Kosovo as an uneven partner, not recognising its independence.

According to Osmani, the big difference between the “Balkan Open” and other initiatives is that other initiatives, but their creators, also treat all countries as equal.

“We are for agreements that will accelerate our membership in the European Union (BE), instead of creating a waiting room that gives Union reason and excuses not to speed up the membership process”, Osmani said.

She said that without the Western Balkans' membership in the EU there can be no free, united and peaceful Europe, and certainly there can be no security on the European continent.

So we were pretty clear about that. We respect other countries, but at the same time we want our attitude respected, because it is a stance that is taken into account through very serious assessments of all necessary” factors, Osmani said.

She said there are many initiatives Kosovo participates in, adding that the reason for their participation is that there they are treated as equal, as well as respect for the principle of inclusion since the first day.

So all six Western Balkan countries participated in the creation of these initiatives, unlike the Open Balkans, which is not inclusive or treat us equally”, Osmani said.

Asked how she sees the problem of demarcation of Montenegro and Kosovo, she said it is definitely not a problem.

Moreover, I believe that Kosovo and Montenegro have reached the stage where each discussion is based on the principle of excellent neighbourly relations. When that is the dominant principle in any discussion, I would never say that the things discussed are a problem. Instead, I would say it's a conversation”, Osman explained.

According to her, this is no longer about politicians.

Osmani recalled that Montenegro has ratified the Agreement in the Assembly many years ago and that the Kosovo Assembly has ratified three documents -- namely, the Agreement itself, statements of the presidents of Kosovo and Montenegro, and the third document, which is the product of the commission's work.

As she said, all three documents have been ratified to create opportunities for forming a joint technical commission.

So it is the technical commission and there are experts who have to take the job and now experts have to determine the next steps, instead of the politicians making statements that can only harm progress”, Osmani said.

Commenting on the war in Ukraine, she said that since February 24th the entire security architecture on the European continent has been endangered.

According to her, Russia's aim is not only to destroy Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity but also to fight against value-based systems and way of life democratic.

“at the same time, Russia is trying to undermine transatlantic co-operation and achievements in this part of the region. Already, in the face of such aggression, we must be united not only in words and statements but also in joint action”, Osmani said.

She said that for now all Western Balkan countries except Serbia have chosen to be on Ukraine's side.

“While Serbia has consistently demonstrated, and has recently confirmed calls between Vuciki and Russian President Vladimir Putin that they have chosen to be with Russia in this aggression. Unfortunately, Russia was given the artificial breathing needed to continue this fight”, Osmani said.

She said the European Union should send a very clear message to Serbia that if it continues on that road, membership negotiations will be suspended.

Osmani stressed that EU and NATO membership is the only road ahead for Western Balkan countries.

My country has never seen other options. We have seen this not only as a view of the people of Kosovo, but as a vision of every government and institution that has led the country so far”, Osmani said.

She recalled that some countries in the region are already in NATO, including Montenegro, which, she added, has contributed to greater security in the region.

According to Osmani, it is time for Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina to offer a clear and accelerated road towards NATO.

Of course, Serbia does not show that goal. However, it should be clear to all others who are working for NATO membership that, from the point of view of security, membership is necessary in light of Russia's aggression against Ukraine”, Osmani said.

It showed that Kosovo has formed an inter-institutional task force, which is going through all the criteria and application procedures, to determine the best time to officially apply for NATO membership.

When that group completes its task, we will be able to come up with the exact date”, Osmani said.

She said the path towards NATO membership also runs through the Partnership for Peace, which is the first step for Kosovo.

“We are currently facing a very absurd situation, as Partnership for Peace includes countries like the Belarus of Lucas, as well as Serbia, anti-states. - NATO, which is not even trying to enter an alliance”, Osmani said.

Asked what reaction she expects from official Belgrade when Kosovo officially submits its NATO membership bid, she said Kosovo would never have declared independence, had it seen Serbia's reactions.

It is clear that the interests of Kosovo, but also the will of the people, are key factors in decision-making for our future or membership in international organisation”, Osmani said.

She said that Kosovo's membership in these organisations is not only a political act, adding that citizens maintain the ultimate benefit.

After Kosovo joins the Council of Europe, our citizens will finally have access to the European Court for Human Rights. So, after all, this is human rights issue”, Osman said.

As it has estimated, to say “jo” Kosovo's membership in the Council of Europe means to say “Jo” for a higher human rights standard in Europe, because Kosovo is part of the continent.

Also, to say “ “If the state supports the fight against cross-border crime, then it should support Kosovo's participation in those” mechanisms, Osmani said.

She said this applies to other international organisations as well, adding that when Kosovo is willing to apply for NATO membership, Serbia's reaction is obviously something to pay attention.