Rohde and Guerot: Kosovo should do homework, key is normalising relations with Serbia

Germany's Ambassador Jorn Rohde said Kosovo should listen to partner councils. According to him, Kosovo must carry out its homework and move forward in the process of normalising relations with Serbia.

He made these comments at the table organised by the Kosovo Ambassador Council for 15 years of Kosovo diplomatic relations with various states.

Our partner is unique, close, and we are one of the most loyal partners I would say, but we are also a partner who sometimes wants to be heard. And I think this is also in my view when I see the relationship between Kosovo and Germany, use your closest partner, trust him, you have to have self-confidence, and when I see, from a German point of view, not only Kosovo, but other countries too often use this victim role that I think the victim is never a visionary role”.

“You must be confident in yourself, also confident in the sense that you should spend your political capital wisely, and wisely mean, you know, Kosovo is also in a unique position and Germany and France tried to support this process to enter the Euro-Atlantic structures specifically that means becoming a member of the Council of Europe at this moment and to become a member you have to do some things. And publicly and privately we are calling on the Kosovo government to do some things, sometimes they hear no, whether this government or previous governments. I mean as bilateral partners, we issue statements on certain decisions of the Constitutional Court, which I think should be heard if you want to become a member, you have to do your homework”.

The French ambassador Olivier Guerot, who said the key is normalization, also expressed criticism.

He demanded that Kosovo engage in normalisation, as that is the key.

You must stand up, let your country go to the dance floor and signal that you want to dance. And that's what we're missing from Kosovo now. So do things and you all know what it is, or colleagues know exactly what is expected. It's about association, escalation, there are things that are expected, but on a more general issue it's about normalization, because that's the key. And that's the key, one of the keys or a lot of keys to convincing not only us, but also the five non-council states of the EU. Go and dance”.

Former Kosovo Ambassador to Brussels Bernard Nikaj said Kosovo's future is in the European Union.

“ ... Kosovo's future lies in the European Union and in Euro-Atlantic organisations, NATO, the Council of Europe, and so on. We never agree on the right way to do that, but we agree that the ultimate goal is definitely there. So, the bilateral support of Belgium, but also of other countries in accomplishing this will has been necessary since Kosovo's existence as state”.

Former Kosovo Ambassador to Washington Avni Spahiu said Kosovo's relations with the United States should be well preserved.

Kosovo can always send clear messages, including a closer relationship with the United States that would produce an even more constructive partnership for the state of Kosovo. As the first ambassador to the Republic of Kosovo in Washington, I am personally grateful to the state and to the American people, and I am proud to be able to make a difference in building friendly relations and full partnership between the two countries during”. / EO