Unconvinced Rohde: If dialogue moves in the right direction, five EU sides will recognise Kosovo

Germany's Ambassador to Kosovo, Joern Rohde, has said that progress in dialogue with Serbia could bring Kosovo recognition from the five EU Council (Spanja, Greece, Cyprus, Slovakia and Romania), which have not yet done so.

In an interview for Tev 1, he has said dialogue is a condition even for Serbia's walk towards EU integration, adding that two years for this state no chapter has been opened.

Rohde has expressed very sure that the EU-proposed Association draftist is in line with the Kosovo Constitution.

According to him, the Association of Serb-run municipalities, as the European Commission has said, is a condition for Kosovo's membership in the Council of Europe.

In this interview, Rohde has said there must be rapid implementation of agreements reached between Kosovo and Serbia.

The German ambassador has also spoken of the security situation, where he has said NATO has stepped up forces after the September 24th attack in Banjska, saying that Serbia has made it clear that the responsibilities -- particularly the top one (Milan Radojic) -- should be held accountable.

Total interview:

The process of dialogue is the issue we talk about every day in Kosovo. Not just politicians, but common people. How do you see this process now? There are concerns over the implementation of the Brussels and Ohrid agreements. The parties have not moved that far in this case. How do you see it?

Joern Rohde: We can see this in two ways. Of course, my brief response had been that I would like the implementation to be done faster. For me and my profession, the glass is always half full. I've said that before. We have seen progress, we have seen the Brussels and Ohrid Agreement, but we have not seen implementation start as soon as possible, but, you know, we have seen things developing in the right direction. Germany is one of Kosovo's strongest supporters of independence. For example, in recent weeks we have seen that in the north people converted their plates to Kosovo plates. This is a very successful process. I hope that even on the political front implementation will have to resume at the speed we wish.

Speed isn't right.

Joern Rohde: No.

For example, the position of Prime Minister Kurti is that we are not moving forward because we need a signature. A signature implies implementation. On the other hand, Serbia says “we have signed nothing, we will sign nothing, we will not allow Kosovo to become part of the United Nations. We do not know and will not recognise Kosovo either de facto or de jure. We do not recognise Kosovo's territorial integrity. These are not such good positions. For example, to move forward. Kosovo positioned for signature, other side for no signatures?

Joern Rohde: I think you described the dilemma correctly. I've noticed that both sides often claim what they don't want and won't. The whole process, which has been pushed forward especially from Germany, especially in the proposal for recognition of de facto and de jure, has to do with what we can achieve. I am Germany's ambassador to Kosovo, not Serbia. So I focus on what Kosovo should do. Kosovo has a responsibility in this process, which is implementation of the AKS (the Association of the Serb Majorities), which is a long-term Kosovo obligation. So we expect Kosovo to be safe, you have our support and I am 100 % sure that we have not proposed anything that conflicts with the Constitution of Kosovo. So what I expect from the Government is to continue implementing. Make a decision. We think that these agreements -- that of Brussels and Ohrid -- are binding because they are guaranteed by the European Union. And Kosovo must move forward, the faster, the better. Who's specifying speed? If each one protects his stand, nothing moves forward. I am here in Kosovo, and we expect Kosovo to move forward in the DPA. Let me underline something. Last week, the Council of Europe's published national experts report, if you go to page 13, you can find a sentence on it “we expect for advancing Kosovo's membership in the Council of Europe to be applied to the AKSHS. So duty is clear. Do it.

Why do you think we're not doing this?

Joern Rohde: That's why you have to ask Government.

Yes, but what Government and Presidency said, why do you think there are some concerns if this draft is in accordance with the Constitution? For example, there are concerns regarding Resolution 1244.

Joern Rohde: I repeat, you must move to politics. Who's setting the pace? Is a matter advanced without moving? Even the prime minister has said publicly that this draft is written based on the Constitution. Of course, everything is part of a compromise, but this draft has full support from the EU, from the US, which care about these Kosovo concerns. It is Kosovo's internal obligation since 2015 to implement it. We don't understand why there's still reason to drag this issue? Move forward! The other side will have to move.

There are some concerns about the new Republic of Srpska here in Kosovo, a territorial division between Albanians and Serbs. That is what is being discussed nowadays in Kosovo. How do you answer that?

Joern Rohde: I've been asked that question a lot and I'd say I flatly reject this notion, because that's why we have this proposal written by the EU, which deals with these issues. How can we propose something that doesn't match the Constitution? If it matches it, then there can be no Republika Srpska. I, politically, do not understand why last year a German foundation had a proposal, Albania's prime minister had a proposal, had a proposal from the Serb leadership community, which would certainly go that way. The only side that has not made any proposals is the main president, the Kosovo government. So politically I'd like to ask why you always wait for the last minute. Our proposal, the EU proposal, is a proposal that shows the way to progress, for full implementation. Of course the other side has to do something, but still my advice is to move forward as quickly as possible because in these current political circumstances we have a window of opportunity to use.

Have you noticed any signs of moving forward with regard to the European plan for association?

Joern Rohde: I think I'll see the sign when you see it. The Kosovo government has said that we are ready to sign. We think signing is not a crucial point. The crucial thing to do is move forward.

Perhaps the Kosovo government's concern about the signing issue is that they want the agreements signed earlier in the dialogue process in Brussels. These agreements have not been implemented. So sign and then implement.

Joern Rohde: Yes, I agree with your words: signing is not that important, but the need for implementation. Implorement is the real value of success. When Kosovo begins to implement things, the other side will become more visible if p in the Brussels and Ohrid agreement. As long as neither side makes progress we are in a state of expectation. Our advice is, you have seen it publicly, move forward, so we can see a positive dynamic. As we now have in the north with license plates, with minorities applying for Kosovo passports. We say we have not seen much progress but we have visa liberalisation, the last state in the Western Balkans. Three weeks left.

Yeah, that's good news. At least we're the last country to have visa liberalisation. Thank you for making the decision to move forward in this regard. If the entire process is postponed, for example, the implementation of agreements, will there be any security risks? There's been discussions recently. For example, Ukraine's president, Zelensky, said Putin is aiming to initiate a new conflict in the region. There have been statements by Prime Minister Kurti that there are groups like those in Banjska and are being prepared in Serbia, perhaps for a new attack on Kosovo. Do you see any problem if these agreements are not implemented. Will space be created for these groups, which may want a new conflict?

Joern Rohde: Listen, there's a lot of speculation. One thing I'm sure of and agree with you is that I believe Putin is trying to create problems wherever he can, to draw attention to the killings and murderous and criminal aggression in Ukraine. But we have reacted. NATO has reacted by strengthening security without changing the status quo...

You sent troops?

Joern Rohde: NATO is the third responder in a row, as we have seen in Banjsk, the Kosovo Police have been assembled by EULEX and KFOR and KFOR in full readiness to manage the situation, which we publicly praised the Kosovo government and police for their professionalisation during response to these terrorist attacks. Even you mentioned, there were not only spare troops, Germany will also send a group of soldiers to Kosovo, and to me it is unimaginable that NATO will be attacked in Kosovo. But security must also be met with an active political process. I repeat, since I am ambassador to Kosovo, my main address is the Kosovo government. And now we're trying to convince them that we are your partners and please have faith in us. We cannot say how often Germany is engaged, whether in the visa liberalisation process, whether it be membership in the Council of Europe, in the Franco-German proposal, or for special advisers to come here. We are your partners and we want you to become full-fledged members of the international community, meaning European structures, NATO, the Council of Europe. But you have to do your homework and one of them is A. K S.S.

Is it difficult to convince the current Government of Kosovo?

Joern Rohde: If it were easy I wouldn't be sitting here today and you wouldn't be asking these questions.

As for the case in Banjska on September 24th. There has been a conclusion to say, in the European Commission's report on Kosovo, in which groups of arms smugglers reportedly attacked the Kosovo Police. Is that how the EU views the event in Banjska?

Joern Rohde: You've seen statements from Germany. All are condemning this attack, High Representative Borell has only described it as a terrorist attack. We've seen the extraordinary amount of weapons found there. So it's clear and the fact that changes things, these aren't frustrated citizens, this was an armed attack that was fortunately stopped. And response of NATO was clear but the investigation is still under way, but we have also made clear to Serbia's authors, especially the main one, who said it is responsible, should be held accountable.

But he's still free?

Joern Rohde: Yes, still at large, but you must be sure that we ask the Belgrade authorities to hold him responsible for that. It hasn't happened yet, but we won't let it go.

Do you think that you, the EU, should put more pressure on Serbia on these things. For the person who organized the terrorist attack. For example, there are some thoughts from some daily tests conducted in Kosovo. The EU, or perhaps the United States, is putting more pressure on Kosovo than on Serbia.

Joern Rohde: Yes, that is a fully justified question to answer. I repeat, I am the ambassador here and I can only speak when we, the EU, take measures against Kosovo, in response to certain behavior that has frustrated us. Are we doing enough in Serbia? Sometimes maybe not. But it's not up to me to judge. I am ambassador here and I want our close partner, Kosovo, to understand what's at stake, that we are here to continue fully supporting Kosovo's sovereignty, independence and security. That's why 28 nations are in KFOR and because security is reinforced we support Kosovo's membership in the Council of Europe and because we are partners with Kosovo, whether by transforming KSF, or improving Kosovo's infrastructure. And even if we criticise Kosovo, it is a criticism given by one-dimensionality.

Critics From a Friend?

John Rohde: That's right. Especially from one family she should be transparent and honest.

Yes, partners like those from Germany and France and from many European countries, but there are still five states that do not yet recognise Kosovo. Are you as Kosovo partners doing anything to help in the process of recognising these countries? Is there any movement in Spain, Greece or Slovakia?

Joern Rohde: I mean you can see public statements, yet the main way to convince these countries is to show you're doing everything to solve the conflict, and it's pretty sure you don't play a big role if you don't take a step away on the issues Kosovo has to move on. What I mean is, these partners, they all said they were willing to continue when the conflict solution went straight. They want to see Kosovo and Serbia progress, but this is the challenge and issue that needs to be addressed to the Government of Kosovo, which we are also doing. Also, we are discussing this here, and I am 100 % sure that recognition from these five countries will be achieved if the dialogue moves in the right direction.

And the Association of Serb-run municipalities is one of the main conditions?

Joern Rohde: Yes, and all other things Kosovo must do in addition to implementing the Association of Serb majority municipalities, which is the only obligation dating back to 2015, which has never been able to be implemented by previous governments. And now we're in this situation. We have Kosovo's closest partners, Europe and America, supporting the process fully and advising Kosovo that this is the right path towards normalisation.

And right now we're not walking that way?

Joern Rohde: We're on that road.

No, but I'm talking about Kosovo!

Joern Rohde: Yes, Kosovo must proceed with speedier steps in implementing these issues. And yet you claimed that there were already signed agreements, but never implemented. So what lesson can we learn from this? Implementation. And then the rest of me have to participate because it's an interrelated process.

There is another issue here from the Kosovo perspective, the Government of Kosovo. Yes, we will implement these agreements, but what are guarantees from the EU and the United States that Serbia will also be willing to implement them.

Joern Rohde: Yeah, but we haven't gotten to that point yet.

To normalise the situation, we have Serbia and Kosovo, if one party implements the agreement, the other does not do the same. We need some guarantees on this case.

Joern Rohde: The guarantee comes after implementation, if you do that it'll happen, but if one party doesn't even start, the other side. You know, it's not easy. I'm here again...

Who should take the first step toward implementation? Kosovo?

Joern Rohde: If Kosovo has one. I mean, I don't even want to say the installation of the AKS is... You don't start. First you must have a government decision to be fully accepted. That hasn't happened yet. So after that stage the next, legal stage of the process begins, perhaps sending it to the constitutional charter and so on. So it's like a kind of sequence, you get to the first step which doesn't define an agreement, it's just an informal recognition and the other side should also be engaged, which we haven't seen yet. Again I say Kosovo must begin. That's how politics works, you push the other side by forcing it to move, but if neither side takes a step to move forward the repetition that we're not going to do that we're not going to do that, and the whole political process is not a survey, and therefore our argument is to continue.

So Kosovo in this case is what forces the other side, in this case Serbia, to implement the agreement?

Joern Rohde: Of course, that would be the logic of all of this, and these are our expectations. Even if the first step was to say the approval of the government and then the attention would automatically go to the other side and everything else would come analogically, and to illustrate it in a much clearer way, when my foreign minister was here two years ago or a half years ago, she said / even my Chancellor said it was impossible for the European Union to accept two countries that didn't know each other and that this is definative. On the other hand, you can say anything but the European Union will not accept members who do not know each other's territories and integrity and who do not know each other. That's not possible.

Serbia has progressed in the integration process?

John Rohde: Where? In fact not for two years now there have been no chapters that have been opened, I don't see any dynamism or progress on either side.

Serbia has continued on its integration path, but...

Joern Rohde: This is impossible, since there has been no meeting for the past two years, and I do not expect it to occur because neither side has taken a positive step in this regard.

You mentioned the Council of Europe. We have applied and the request has been accepted, but can you give us any advice on how to make progress in this regard?

Joern Rohde: We're still in 2023, but time is flying... Germany has been the biggest supporter of Kosovo's accession. After Kosovo has met the requirements, all conventions of the Council of Europe are part of Kosovo's legislation and Constitution. We want Kosovo on this Council and with our vote we thought we would broadcast it to others on the parliamentary assembly. As you may have seen from last week's report by Ethiopian judges, one of them was also former Secretary of the Venice Commission, who highlights certain duties for Kosovo. And what is expected of the government that one of the tasks that needs to be done is that juti respects your judicial decisions. There is a famous court ruling that has not already been implemented by 5 or 6 previous governments, the case of the Decani Monastery, where, according to the court, this land belongs to the monastery and must be registered as such in the catascular registry of the municipality that has not occurred so far. This is clearly a violation of the law. Judicial decisions must be implemented. It is very difficult to be on Kosovo supporters if these obstacles continue. I cannot understand how a Constitutional Court decision may not be implemented, when it is clear that this could be an obstacle on Kosovo's road to membership in the Council of Europe, because there will be a vote in the Parliamentary Assembly and you want to see a quick movement in this direction. The AKS is also mentioned. This is an annual report. Germany is also criticised in EC reports. We all have to do our tasks, and this 30-page report helps to conform Kosovo's laws to EC standards. Again, we have duties to do, and they have more privileges as members.

Have you spoken to the prime minister or the government? Why aren't they applying the law on land issued by the Court?

Joern Rohde: I've been here for three years, we've been talking to him in public and in private, and together with Quinn's places we've made five statements, and then so has O. The SBE and the EC. I'll just say one word, just do it.

We just have to do something and support ourselves?

Rohde: Yes, you create a positive moment. It is also a positive sign for the minority community, where minority rights are affected, whether religious or ethnic or linguistic minority, that Kosovo's legal system is for everyone not only the majority. It's all, you create trust, that political one. And by not making it you create doubts and you give the other side ammo. See, that's a bad sign.

What about the peace partnership with NATO? How can Kosovo move forward and be part of this process?

Rohde: Again, everything is connected to everything. You have 5 European Union states that haven't recognised you, 4 I think are in NATO, they will act the way they do in the EU, if they see progress in dialogue, these kinds of questions can easily be resolved. We want Kosovo in NATO, we want Kosovo in the EU, but do your homework, then progress will be reachable.

How would you describe the reports between the two countries, Germany and Kosovo?

Rohde: Our reports are excellent, this year celebrating the 15th anniversary of diplomatic reports, next year we will have more parties because we will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the start of German aid to Kosovo, we will celebrate KFOR's 25th anniversary in Kosovo, 25 years of German troops.

And another 150 will come...?

Rohde: You know, there were thousands of soldiers, you know we're in the KFOR forces here next year for 25 years. We have diaspora over 550,000 I think, you know a few months ago we had our first national football player in Germany's national football team, Mergim Berisha, we have on the youth team. I'm a soccer fan, so I know those names. Especially now that I am in Kosovo, you automatically understand these names, ah, certainly a German-Kosovor. But, as we said earlier, Germany and Kosovo are like family, and in the family you need to be open when there are differences, the government of Kosovo has its position, we have our position, we have to be honest, and we are sincere in giving advice to Government. So again, our reports are perfect, we had the Agriculture Minister here recently, we'll have visits next week. The world is in a very difficult political situation with the war in Europe and Ukraine.

With the Gaza conflict.

Rohde: The conflict in Gaza. The EU constantly, I mean we are 28, we have our duties, our reforms. Yes, if you see the EU growth package that includes billions of euros for the Western Balkans. We want this region to be at peace and successful members of our European community because you are surrounded by EU states, not in the outer courtyard, but in the inner courtyard, and the inner courtyard needs to be integrated. You do your homework, we do our tasks, I think this is our challenge.

As we have had the opportunity to observe, things move into the Balkans, the integration of these non-Integrated countries will happen soon, how long will it last or depend on carrying out tasks?

Rohde: You can see, some say the war in Ukraine will shift the Balkans into a second plan, it's not true, war in Ukraine has created new dynamics for enlargement. A few years ago, enlargement... had no expansion, now you have a conference next week, the Council of Europe, where we will have decisions for Ukraine, Moldova and the Western Balkans. You have seen the candidate status for Bosnia and Herzegovina, but there are still unresolved issues, and we have Kosovo's application, but Kosovo's application can only move forward when it is accepted by 5 non-acceptable states, with all other issues. I'm going back to small issues, we've seen integration, we've seen the issue of license plates, and we have to move with these, but you have to be constant, let's say in offensive and block your position, and that's the main argument with your government. You're optimistic, trust us, our advice isn't 100% always, but I would trust our advice, it's propaganda for me now. We are your partners and will continue to do everything to ensure Kosovo's success, independence and sovereignty.

The latter, after you mentioned football, Kosovo needs a national team coach, can you help the football federation bring a German coach?

Rohde: It's a difficult question, I would never dare to decide, to have an opinion on the Kosovo team, but I can say that Germany's team needs a coach, because our last success was years ago, it's been difficult. In six months we have a European championship in Germany, we need a trainer to succeed. Except for the 17-year-old group that became world champion last Saturday. So the future is bright, but I would like the present to be bright.