Bislimi attacks allies on Serbian post issue, reminds them where dialogue should focus

Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister Bensik Bislimi has made a long reaction to his official profile regarding Kosovo institutions' decision to close Serbian mail points in the country's north. Bislimi says such an action has been undertaken after information has been obtained from ARKEP that non-licensed economic operators and that Sė are registered in the ARBK territory are operating.

The head of the negotiating team has said that the Serbian post has acted illegally on the territory of the Republic of Kosovo and that yesterday's actions by police are in service of protecting the rule of law, competitiveness and constitutionality of the country.

He has also said that parallel structures and illegal activity have room in Kosovo and that Kosovo would have to be strongly supported by international partners for this.

Kurti's deputy says that the fact that the postal services issue is considered a discussion of the future in past 2013 and 2015 “does not mean that in the meantime Serbia's Post will continue illegal operating in the country, violating all the rules, laws and Constitutions of the Republic of Kosovo”.

In the end, Bislimi has also had criticism of the EU and the reaction made to Kosovo's actions, saying Brussels is having greater readiness to react and condemn Kosovo's actions and turn to technical issues of dialogue rather than deal with Serbia and denial and wrongdoing that Belgrade is making the agreement reached.

Full response:

Following information received by the Electronic and Postal Communications Regulatory Authority (ARKEP) that on Kosovo territory economic operators without license are operating and that are not registered to the Agency for Registering Business in Kosovo (ARBK), police have closed yesterday's nine objects of Serbia's Post in the north.

Serbia's post has acted illegally on the territory of the Republic of Kosovo. The actions taken yesterday by police are only in service to protect rule of law, competitiveness, and constitutionality in the country. parallel structures and illegal activity have no place in the Republic of Kosovo. This would also have to be strongly supported by our international partners and allies.

The Republic of Kosovo works every day to approach the European Union's highest standards, values and principles. Through the Stabilisation and Association Agreement that Kosovo has with the EU, we as a state are committed that according to articles 74, 75, 91, 94, 96 and 99, build and practice free market economy, adhere to market competition protection regulations and bans, prevention and fighting other illegal activities. Moreover, the main preconditions for membership in the European Union are justice, rule of law and protection and respect.

A Serbian entity -- in this case, Serbia's Posta -- has operated illegally outside Serbia's territory, and also in a state it does not recognise. The presence of these offices on the territory of the Republic of Kosovo, in addition to presenting serious violations of good neighbourly principles, they also constitute illegal activity, cause market disorder, and disrupt competition.

The fact that the postal services issue is considered a discussion of the future in past 2013 and 2015 agreements does not mean that, meanwhile, Serbia's Posta continues illegal operating in the country, violate all the rules, laws and Constitutions of the Republic of Kosovo. Nothing implies rights, or toleration of illegal entities in the country. This capacity cannot be acceptable and allowable to our state, and it should, in principle, not be acceptable to the European Union.

Dialogue in Brussels, rather than focusing on the central and extremely important issues, related to Serbia's denial of the Basic Agreement and Ohrid Enex, expressed both through multiple violations, but also by official paper deposited in the EU Foreign Service by former Prime Minister Brnabiq, as well as ongoing statements by President Vuciq and recently Prime Minister Vuchev, the EU's readiness to react is higher in Kosovo's condemnation and the return of the process of technical dialogue, contributing negatively to the final agreement.