Finland's Minister for European Affairs: Timed time to liberalise visas for Kosovo

Tuppurainen says Finland also supports Kosovo's bid to become a member of the Council of Europe and international security organisations.

While talking about the current security situation in the world following Russia's military aggression in Ukraine, it stresses that it is here in terms of deepening co-operation between Kosovo and Finland.

Tuppurainen in the interview given to KosovoPress also talks about the Open Balkans, Kosovo dialogue Serbia, Serbia's failure to impose sanctions on Russia, and the potential risk facing the Western Balkans.

Commenting on Serbian President Aleksandar Vuciq's statements that his response has faced reciprocity set by the Kosovo Government for ID and the license plates will be deadly “”, the Finnish minister says any escalation rhetoric is something I regret.

Kosovaress: You have come for an official visit to Kosovo. What is the purpose of this visit and where will the focus of your meetings with Kosovo state leaders be?

Tuppurainen: First of all, this is my first visit to Kosovo and Pristina, and I really enjoyed this trip. I am a strong friend of Kosovo, and Finland has a very long and good partnership with Kosovo, and for that reason, I think we can further strengthen our bilateral ties, and, of course, the current security situation in Europe. After Russia's attack on Ukraine, we have reason for all of us to further improve our dialogue and bilateral co-operation for democracy, peace and stability.

Kosovaress: Kosovo and Finland stand out for good relations. Is there room for this cooperation to deepen further, and in what areas?

Tuppurainen: There is certainly room for further deepening of our cooperation. There are currently 10,000 Kosovars living in Finland, so it is a huge diaspora and I think many of them know Finland very well, and of course they know their homeland very well, so maybe we can use their knowledge of our countries in order to improve our economic co-operation. If there's anything we can do at our embassy here, or if I can do anything to send a message to our government, in order to promote our business ties, I would be happy to do that. I believe we have so much to do in the economy or circuit, recycling, and so on. So I look forward to increasing our cooperation.

Kosovaress: Finally, the Kosovo government has imposed reciprocity measures on Serbia for IDs and license plates, for which Serbian President Aleksandar Vuciq has threatened that their response will be deadly “”. Do you think there can be the instability of the Western Balkans when we also have the Serb-Russian connection and the hybrid war under way?

Tuppurainen: First of all, the stability of the Western Balkans is the most important issue, not only for the region itself, but for Europe as well. We are talking about European neighbourhood; therefore it is our common cause to boost stability in the region. And I have to say that any escalating rhetoric is something I regret. I hope everyone works towards a common understanding and agreement, because only through mutual co-operation and understanding can we achieve peace and stability. I believe Kosovo has the legal right to elections, but I hope that in the end everyone will understand that we have to find common language and avoid any escalation.

Kosovaress: Are Kosovo being wronged in terms of visa liberalisation? And how have you seen the statements that there might be additional criteria for Kosovo?

I want to make it very clear: Finland favours visa liberalisation for Kosovo. Of course you do. Your young people deserve it. I have met many young Kosovars who are eager to travel, to have equal rights to travel. Kosovo is the only country in the Western Balkans that does not have visa liberalisation. And now it's time to give it up. Finland is in favour of this and we have been working towards the goal of the Council reaching the visa liberalisation agreement.

Kosovaress: What do you expect from the Kosovo dialogue, Serbia, and how much do you find it necessary to reach an agreement in a period as close as possible, taking into account the current circumstances in which the world is present?

Tuppurainen: We believe dialogue is very important. Of course this issue belongs to Kosovo. Make your own decisions. It's up to you to use the progress of dialogue. I think that now after the Serbian elections, there is a new moment to further expand dialogue. The EU has invested a lot in this dialogue, having special representative Lajcak operating in this area and we strongly support Lajcak's work. Of course, it takes two for tango. It is not only Kosovo to resolve the issues on the table. Yet, you may be the force struggling for the good, striving for common interest, and striving for a good final agreement. Because in the end you need a mutual agreement to walk your European path. I believe Kosovo belongs to Europe, our bilateral co-operation, but this dialogue is something that needs to be used to the maximum. So I encourage you, but I fully understand that it is for Kosovo to make its own elections.

Kosovaress: What is Finland's position for the Open Balkans, do you think Kosovo should join?

Tuppurainen: It's up to you to decide your destiny. I'm not here as minister to tell you what to do. If you think that the Open Balkans, it creates a kind of added value for you, then certainly you should use the opportunity, but if you think there are other tools that are better for you, then it certainly belongs to you to use them. There is a joint regional market initiative that is facilitated by the Berlin Process. I believe this is also a good chance to further promote your path towards the common European market, having common values, using common standards, whatever you can do here to improve your situation when it comes to European standards that will help you on the way to entering the European Union's internal market. And, there is nothing that can replace the EU's internal market economic power, no foreign investment can bring the same benefit as the only European market. So this is going to be something you have to try for, it's been a big resource for Finland's economy, and it could be the same for the Western Balkans.

Kosovaress: Serbia is the only country that has not imposed sanctions on Russia following military aggression in Ukraine. How do you assess Serbia's move, and what do you believe should be the position of the EU in front of it?

Tuppurainen: We must remain united, only united can we face Russia. Let's be clear. Russia is an autism that is waging a war, a ruthless illegal war in Ukraine. And we must decide which side of the story we are on. Are we fighting for democracy, human rights and rule of law, or are we sitting down in <x0ndre8x1>? I believe that we should all choose sides and fully adapt to EU foreign and security policy. It is a must if you want to continue in your enlargement and membership negotiations, which this region is currently developing.

Kosovaress: Following the removal of the blockade from Turkey for the membership of Finland and Sweden in NATO, the alliance has made the decision to invite the two countries to join it. How long do you think this will take?

Tuppurainen: Well, I don't have a crystal ball, but I hope that happens as soon as possible. We are happy for the Madrid Summit, which was so successful that we were able to find an agreement with Turkey. It's a matter of diplomacy and it's a matter of negotiating, finding common interest, and finally, agreeing. But of course, in this situation where we are, like Finland, we understand that we are a country that applies for NATO membership. So we have to be modest and let the countries that are already NATO members make their decision to ratify. I believe we are 100% compatible when it comes to NATO criteria, and Finland would give added value to the entire Alliance, not only to the NATO alliance, but to the wider region as well. I believe we should all work for a more peaceful and stable Europe.

Kosovaress: Kosovo wants to become part of NATO's Partnership for Peace. Does Finalanda's support have it, even as a future NATO member?

Tuppurainen: I see Kosovo as part of a multilateral order. I welcome your decision to apply for membership in the Council of Europe. Finland supports your request to become a member of the Council of Europe. And, as I said, we're pro-visa liberalisation. And I believe that one day you will start negotiations on becoming an EU member. So, it is up to you, if you even apply NATO membership, we are not there yet, so it is not up to me to invite Kosovo to be part of it, but I encourage you to be firmly rooted in all law-based organisations and institutions, such as small countries, like Finland. It's very good to be part of the multilateral order. Instead, we would be in the world of superpowers and their ongoing war, and we all know where this can lead. So let's all work on the rules-based multilateral order of Europe and the whole world.

Finnish Minister for European Affairs Titus Tupurainen is standing for an official visit to Kosovo, where he is expected to meet Deputy Prime Minister Besnik Bislimi tomorrow.