Lulzim Peci: Kosovo going towards major clash with internationals

The US and the EU named the closure of Serbia's Post in the north on August 5th, as “unilateral and uncoordinated action”. The Kosovo authorities' move followed the stance of QUINT and NATO, which said they did not support the opening of Ibër Bridge in Mitrovica at this time, after Kosovo's prime minister, Albin Kurti, informed them of the bridge opening plan.

Radio Free Europe: Mr. Peci, the international community once again reacted against, as it said, the Kosovo authorities' uncoordinated and unilateral actions when it comes to the country's north. The last is the closure of Serbia's Post Office offices. How do you see these reactions?

Lulzim Peci: I think these reactions are a consequence of the international community's policy about northern Kosovo, where KFOR has the highest security responsibility in this part of the country. Even so they do not want to be exceeded for actions taken by the Kosovo Police in the north of the country, given their responsibility, which they have because, my opinion is, they don't want to be trapped in any interethnic tension or anything similar, without pre-announced. That's because, if the situation gets through, then KFOR is the one that needs to intervene. I think this is about this, so it's not probably about the action, about closing Serbian post offices in the north, how much to do with the approach of the Government of Kosovo.

Radio Free Europe: Is the rift between Kosovo and the international community deepening, since it is not the first time internationals are reacting in such a way? A few days ago, we also had reaction to the opening of the bridge. There have been strong reactions regarding the dinar ban, the closure of Serbia's various institutions in Kosovo.

Lulzim Peci: Yes, the breach is deepening because the partnership cannot be built unless the parties consult, which have security responsibilities in the north of the country. Even the breach, I think it's already greatly deepened, because the international community has a partner in front of it. How does she view a partner, who is not predictable, and who takes action without preliminary consultations in this part of the country, taking into account the responsibilities in the field of security. So let's keep in mind what we're talking about. We're not just talking about law enforcement, we're also talking about security implications in that part of the country.

Radio Free Europe: But, however, Kosovo authorities reason on their actions in these institutions, which have been closed, saying they have been working illegally in Kosovo and called to legitimacy.

Lulzim Peci: Yeah, all right, we're having legitimacy and we have parties that have security warrants in the northern part of the country. And when it comes to law enforcement, all right, there's no doubt about it, but this should also be done in consultation with those who have security responsibilities in that part of the country.

Let's not forget that Kosovo does not have full sovereignty until KFOR has this mandate, which it has today, it knows what things are like. Here again is the problem, there is no problem with law enforcement. The problem is, are we reliable partners or not? That's where it stands, here's the key issue of this problem.

Radio Free Europe: On the other hand, although the European Union has imposed sanctions on Kosovo, the US, except with statements, has not taken any sanction action, can anything be expected that the US can decide in this direction?

Lulzim Peci: But the biggest sanction the United States has made for us is that Kosovo has withdrawn the support it has received. There's no greater sanctions.

Radio Free Europe: What support do you think?

Lulzim Peci: You see, Kosovo no longer has support in the international field, which it has had ahead of the United States of America. Kosovo has been left to itself and it is now only being treated in the domain of conflict management. Nothing more.

Radio Free Europe: Where is Kosovo going?

Lulzim Peci: Kosovo is heading towards a major clash with the international community. However, Kosovo does not have the capacity to harm the international community. It can only harm itself.