Spahiu: Macron's statement, warning for Kosovo

Former Kosovo Ambassador to the US Avni Spahiu has stressed that today's statement by French President Emmanuel Macron about visa liberalisation, which because of the translation was interpreted as suspension of the process, is not a threat but is a warning to Kosovo.

I think all these elements together were made after a statement that created confusion and was discussed throughout the day from the French president's language to the clarification of his cabinet this afternoon. However, it must be realized that this is a warning, I would not call it a threat. It is a warning to Kosovo, especially to its government”, Spahiu said in RTK.

He said that in Macron's statement, it was not just about translation.

The translation was in that respect that it was not told by Macron that France is definitely against visa liberalisation, but it could be questioned if the Kosovo government does not keep its word. Now what he was talking about is a matter to be discussed. What was promised and what was not done. It is a warning that the European Union will now be more active, very severe in continuing dialogue, and the requirements especially for forming association will be more direct and more established”, Spahiu added.