Osmani: We have a red line for Association.

Osmani, in an interview for Die Presse, said that if Austria asked for an Austrian association in Kosovo, it would pose no problem, but added that it is seeking a state that does not recognise Kosovo.

Serbia is the main problem. For example, if Austria wanted a special association for Austrians in Kosovo, we wouldn't worry that much. Austria recognised Kosovo as a state. It is not Austria's intention to undermine our independence. Serbia does not want to advance the rights for Serbs in Kosovo. Rather, it uses its illegal structures in northern Kosovo to threaten Serbs living there. They just want to make Kosovo dysfunctional as a state, as they have done with Republika Srpska in Bosnia and Herzegovina. They want a second Milorad Dodik (President of Republika Srpska) in Kosovo”, she said.

She also indicated that for implementation of the Association, the other pledges of the agreement must be respected and that it must not be violated the Constitution of Kosovo.

If Kosovo respects the pledges under the agreement, it will take care to act in accordance with the constitution. The Constitutional Court's decision also mentions the need to respect the principle of multiethnicity. A Serb community association would also have to respect the rights of other ethnic groups living there. We have a red line: there should not be executive rights for a Serb parallel administrative structure. But at the same time, of course, we will implement all minority rights and freedoms according to European standards. This should go parallel to implementing other provisions of the agreement, such as recognising national symbols. Serbia has indicated it does not want to implement this. We expect that even if Serbia continues with blockades, our partners will support the international integration of Kosovo”, it concluded.