US's Haradinaj: European Proposal, Real Possible for Kosovo to Divorce From Serbia

Establishment of the Serb majority municipalities is one of the issues that has created tension between Pristina and Belgrade, but also between Pristina and the international factor.

During an interview for the Voice of America, Haradinaj praises Washington's position in the process, adding that the United States is helping Kosovo overcome the last obstacle to reach the final agreement.

Haradinaj also said that the so-called European proposal, which, according to him, is more American, is a real possibility for Kosovo to be “divated” from Serbia.

Voice of America: Haradinaj, after meeting with representatives of the political class and civil society, the US ambassador to Kosovo reiterated that the issue of establishing association is an urgent issue and the Albanian side's proposal for it is now expected. What is your opinion, should Association be created?

Ramush Haradinaj: I believe the ambassador is doing a big job and is helping Kosovo remove the last obstacle before reaching the possibility of reaching a deal with Serbia, in what is known as the Franco-German plan. Kosovo must find a way not to remain hostage to the Association to reach this agreement. The job the ambassador has done today is a way of consuming the process until the agreement is reached.

Voice of America: Washington and Brussels have clearly said that the Association process should go parallel to the EU plan, so according to them are separate processes, which do not condition each other. Do you think the debate in Kosovo on association should start without delay?

Ramush Haradinaj: The debate is always appropriate. The issue of association has gained weight with recent developments, namely successive crises in the north and tensions there. This is the only possibility, there is no other way neither Kosovo nor the other parties to reach the final agreement without giving an epilogue to the issue of association. The association for Kosovo is a timely obligation, but it is, fortunately, constitutional and legal duty, so it does not go outside the Constitution and laws of Kosovo.

Voice of America: Diplomats say there are good European models for association that do not harm Kosovo's citizenship. What pattern do you see as suitable for your country?

Ramush Haradinaj: (Model) stemming from the Kosovo Constitutional Court's decision. So we have no reason to select a foreign model. We have an agreement on Association and we have the court's decision that explains what Association is. Association is “Sui-Generis” (unici), so they cannot take models from other countries because the situation and the achievement of this task is a particular situation. The association is of Kosovo, for people of Kosovo, for Kosovo municipalities, and aims to integrate Serbs into the country's institutions and break off dependence on Serbia. I want to repeat once more, that America is helping Kosovo get past the last obstacle to reaching the final agreement, on the Franco-German proposal, which I believe is more American. I personally and the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo support the achievement of this agreement, because we see very important timing, so we urgently see the agreement reached, so that the prospects for peace partnership and (membership) NATO for Kosovo are opened, what guarantees our security.

It's the most serious time we've ever had. We need to be serious and we can't make small calculations. We must help the country, help our allies, in this particular case Washington, to overcome obstacles, so to resolve all remaining open issues so that we can reach the final agreement. Personally, I give a boost to this process and reach agreement with Serbia.

Voice of America: It has already become clear that pressure has increased towards Kosovo and Serbia, but especially towards Pristina, to move on. You have felt this pressure yourself when you were prime minister, with the border issue with Montenegro. What advice would you give to Prime Minister Kurti today?

Ramush Haradinaj: Much like the topic, Montenegro is a NATO member. Although it was an international obligation, we did it in a good climate with Montenegro. Reaching a recognition agreement with Serbia, which content has recognition, is indeed a major result of the international factor in this case. So the international factor is driving. I encourage our government to exploit this great energy, which comes also because of the war in Ukraine and the great desire of NATO and America to remove Russia from the Balkans. The only way to get Russia out of a part of the Balkans is to reach agreement with Serbia because Kosovo immediately begins the perspective for Partnership for Peace.

Voice of America: As for the agreement with Serbia as you see it in light of the European proposal, what form should it have?

Ramush Haradinaj: The content of the Franco-German plan solves all Kosovo-Serbia problems. Serbia recognises Kosovo on the international plan but does not establish bilateral relations, but Kosovo's prospect for membership opens in all international organisations, including the United Nations. So it's a real possibility to be “separated” eternally with Serbia.

Voice of America: Despite the fact that the issue of recognition doesn't involve itself in an explosive way?

Ramush Haradinaj: The recognition is really in every chapter of this agreement, but does not have the success of recognition in bilateral relations, but Serbia recognises Kosovo on the international level.

Voice of America: Days ago in the Kosovo press, an internal material -- an analysis of the current status relations between Washington and Pristina -- was written by Kosovo's ambassador to Washington for the Foreign Ministry, noting that the doors in Washington are no longer open to officials from Kosovo. Are relations with Washington today at the lowest point after independence?

Ramush Haradinaj: Washington and America love Kosovo, love the people of Kosovo, the state of Kosovo. There are difficulties now, let's call it a agenda management with the current government. But they are extremely close and cooperative with all of us, who without other interests - no minor interests - we want to help national interests, big themes. Obviously, we're welcome here. For example, I've been to the State Department, Congress and Senate, the National Security Council, I have meetings at the Department of Defense, and I have many meetings that actually show respect for Kosovo.

Voice of AmericaYou, but not representatives of the government.

Ramush Haradinaj: Unfortunately, there's a problem in managing the agenda because, I'm calling it, the vague situation our government keeps on certain topics.