Dialogue is key

Dialogue is key Enver Hoxhaj, Kosovo’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, gives us his opinions on the hot topics in the region at the moment and provides a clear insight on the position of the Kosovo Government. In an exclusive for CorD, Mr. Enver Hoxhaj says that Kosovo has always been willing to talk to the Serbian Government, Serbia must accept the reality on the ground and the fact that dialogue between the two countries is the path that must be taken for both parties sake. "We want political solutions as well, though at some point freedom of movement for people and goods will have to be guaranteed. I believe KFOR, EULEX and the Kosovo Government are dedicated to finding the most appropriate response to the barricade issue that would minimize the political risk. However, we will be firm in protecting the borders of Republic of Kosovo from any idea of ethnic division." Mr. Hoxhaj, how do you assess the European Commission’s decision to recommend that Serbia become an official candidate for membership of the European Union, after dangling the carrot of accession talks if it stops obstructing the independence of Kosovo? "The Republic of Kosovo is a staunch supporter of EU integration for all Balkan states, including Serbia. Progress of any individual country is a step forward for all the remaining countries in their path towards the European Union. We are hopeful that Serbia will heed the advice of the EU to normalize the relationship with Kosovo, so both countries can look towards the future in a way that benefits our respective citizens and relaxes the tensions between the countries." The European Commission report also states that, “It is important that Kosovo launches a comprehensive agenda for the north.” This puts responsibility on the government in Pristina for reintegrating the area. Are you ready to face all the risks? "Kosovo has always been ready to talk. We wanted to talk and do a deal in Rambuillet in 1999, we also accepted the recommendations contained in the Kai Eide report in 2005 and we were fully engaged in the Ahtisaari process. As a result, the constitutional package we have approved, as a compromise, provides extensive and unprecedented rights to the Serbian minority living in Kosovo, including self-governance in education, health care, local organizations, links with Serbia, financing from Serbia, etc. Most of the Serbs in southern enclaves are now benefiting and participating in elections and the system itself. The problem is in the north where the criminal elements have prevented the progress by threatening and sometimes even killing members of the community who want to cooperate with Pristina. This is an issue for both Serbs and Kosovans alike." After all the recent developments, how would you describe the security situation in Northern Kosovo? "The situation is sometimes tense at the barricades put up by parallel structures, but overall it’s peaceful and we have clarity of purpose and action with the entire international presence. We hope for dialogue with Serbia to produce the type of results that will be fully implemented in all of Kosovo. " A KFOR Commander recently said that he would like the barricades to be removed as a result of a political process, not by force. Can this be achieved? "We want political solutions as well, though at some point freedom of movement for people and goods will have to be guaranteed. I believe KFOR, EULEX and the Kosovo Government are dedicated to finding the most appropriate response to the barricade issue that would minimize the political risk. However, we will be firm in protecting the borders of Republic of Kosovo from any idea of ethnic division." Analysts say much will depend on whether NATO tries to remove the Serb barricades by force, and Kosovo takes further steps to rein in the north, where confrontation can quickly escalate. Will Kosovo authorities be part of the future actions in the north or it has it been totally left in the hands of KFOR and EULEX? "Kosovo is the host to a robust mission in the rule and law from the EU and NATO presence. We are always coordinating our moves with them in the securing and providing of equal opportunities for all the citizens of Kosovo. Escalation will not happen, as the only ones keen on it are the criminal and smuggling gangs and members of parallel institutions keen to keep the current status-quo." Some say that not all “parallel structures” in the north – the public institutions financed by Serbia – would have to be dismantled. What do you say? "The Ahtisaari plan provides a very wide variety of tools and instruments for people’s autonomous decision-making in municipalities. They are clearly defined and this is our offer to all citizens. Anything beyond that would be unacceptable and a direct breach of UN resolution 1244, which clearly says that ALL Serbian authority or presence in Kosovo is banned." In order to keep territorial integrity, the Pristina Government has to win the hearts and minds of the Kosovo Serbs. How do you plan to do it? "We have to increase interaction and also assist the international community in launching the process of electing legitimate leaders who would take ownership in the entire process of integration within existing constitutional arrangements. Where there is a will, there is a way – and the Kosovo Government is very interested in assuring all of its citizens of the dedication in pursuing the EU path." Is there any official contact between Pristina authorities and North Kosovo Serbs? "Yes – of course we keep in contact. These are our citizens. Unfortunately gangs have attacked in these areas on multiple occasions any Serbs who dare meet us or even participate in our political life as was the case of Kosovo MP Miletic, who shot last year or the Bosniak from the north and head of the election commission Shefko Salkovic, brutally murdered in front of his own house also only last year. We do not want to convince Northern Serbs that they have to love the Republic of Kosovo; we just want to ensure the plurality of opinion so those who may want to enjoy the benefits of working with the Kosovo Government can do so, without fearing for their life." The Kosovo Prime Minister cites organized crime as the chief problem plaguing the Serb-dominated north, and vows to counter it and parallel criminal structures operatingthere. What is being done about organized crime and corruption in other parts of Kosovo? "A progress report received from the European Union says that there was a certain pamount of progress in the fight against organized crime and corruption. Several high-level investigations are currently taking place against several former members of the government. We are dedicated in using all the means and tools available to us to establish a society where everyone will have opportunities, and we will not allow the minority to misuse and disrespect the system. This will not happen." Belgrade-Pristina dialogue has hit a stumbling block over the recent unrest in northern Kosovo. Both sides are promising to be a constructive part of talks once they resume. How fast can this happen? "We went twice to Brussels to wait for the Belgrade delegation who never showed up, so actually the Kosovo Government is waiting for Belgrade to be ready to resume talks. They are conditioning the EU with the issue of opening talks on northern borders, but as this is an internal issue on Kosovo and not a subject of dialogue as foreseen by the UN General Assembly. The EU and especially German Chancellor Merkel were rather clear on the issue of what needs to be done by Serbia and we are all waiting for the government in Serbia to be ready to resume the dialogue with us." Some in Pristina hope that dialogue with Belgrade regulating technical issues could open the way for a peace treaty. Do you share that optimism? "Inevitably, Kosovo and Serbia will be equal members of the international community. The sooner this is realized in Belgrade, the better for the whole of the Balkan community." Next year Kosovo and Serbia will enter an election year and the danger is that no politician will talk about reconciliation, but mainly patriotism and nationalism to gain votes. Do you agree? "The Government of Kosovo was dedicated to dialogue and peace regardless of any internal political dynamics. We hope for parties in Serbia not to engage in nationalist and inflammatory discourse." Enver Hoxhaj This interview was originally published by the CorD magazine Enver Hoxhaj, Kosovo’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, gives us his opinions on the hot topics in the region at the moment and provides a clear insight on the position of the Kosovo Government

Dialogue is key

Enver Hoxhaj, Kosovo’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, gives us his opinions on the hot topics in the region at the moment and provides a clear insight on the position of the Kosovo Government. In an exclusive for CorD, Mr. Enver Hoxhaj says that Kosovo has always been willing to talk to the Serbian Government, Serbia must accept the reality on the ground and the fact that dialogue between the two countries is the path that must be taken for both parties sake.

"We want political solutions as well, though at some point freedom of movement for people and goods will have to be guaranteed. I believe KFOR, EULEX and the Kosovo Government are dedicated to finding the most appropriate response to the barricade issue that would minimize the political risk. However, we will be firm in protecting the borders of Republic of Kosovo from any idea of ethnic division."

Mr. Hoxhaj, how do you assess the European Commission’s decision to recommend that Serbia become an official candidate for membership of the European Union, after dangling the carrot of accession talks if it stops obstructing the independence of Kosovo?

"The Republic of Kosovo is a staunch supporter of EU integration for all Balkan states, including Serbia. Progress of any individual country is a step forward for all the remaining countries in their path towards the European Union. We are hopeful that Serbia will heed the advice of the EU to normalize the relationship with Kosovo, so both countries can look towards the future in a way that benefits our respective citizens and relaxes the tensions between the countries."

The European Commission report also states that, “It is important that Kosovo launches a comprehensive agenda for the north.” This puts responsibility on the government in Pristina for reintegrating the area. Are you ready to face all the risks?

"Kosovo has always been ready to talk. We wanted to talk and do a deal in Rambuillet in 1999, we also accepted the recommendations contained in the Kai Eide report in 2005 and we were fully engaged in the Ahtisaari process. As a result, the constitutional package we have approved, as a compromise, provides extensive and unprecedented rights to the Serbian minority living in Kosovo, including self-governance in education, health care, local organizations, links with Serbia, financing from Serbia, etc. Most of the Serbs in southern enclaves are now benefiting and participating in elections and the system itself. The problem is in the north where the criminal elements have prevented the progress by threatening and sometimes even killing members of the community who want to cooperate with Pristina. This is an issue for both Serbs and Kosovans alike."

After all the recent developments, how would you describe the security situation in Northern Kosovo?

"The situation is sometimes tense at the barricades put up by parallel structures, but overall it’s peaceful and we have clarity of purpose and action with the entire international presence. We hope for dialogue with Serbia to produce the type of results that will be fully implemented in all of Kosovo. "

A KFOR Commander recently said that he would like the barricades to be removed as a result of a political process, not by force. Can this be achieved?

"We want political solutions as well, though at some point freedom of movement for people and goods will have to be guaranteed. I believe KFOR, EULEX and the Kosovo Government are dedicated to finding the most appropriate response to the barricade issue that would minimize the political risk. However, we will be firm in protecting the borders of Republic of Kosovo from any idea of ethnic division."

Analysts say much will depend on whether NATO tries to remove the Serb barricades by force, and Kosovo takes further steps to rein in the north, where confrontation can quickly escalate. Will Kosovo authorities be part of the future actions in the north or it has it been totally left in the hands of KFOR and EULEX?

"Kosovo is the host to a robust mission in the rule and law from the EU and NATO presence. We are always coordinating our moves with them in the securing and providing of equal opportunities for all the citizens of Kosovo. Escalation will not happen, as the only ones keen on it are the criminal and smuggling gangs and members of parallel institutions keen to keep the current status-quo."

Some say that not all “parallel structures” in the north – the public institutions financed by Serbia – would have to be dismantled. What do you say?

"The Ahtisaari plan provides a very wide variety of tools and instruments for people’s autonomous decision-making in municipalities. They are clearly defined and this is our offer to all citizens. Anything beyond that would be unacceptable and a direct breach of UN resolution 1244, which clearly says that ALL Serbian authority or presence in Kosovo is banned."

In order to keep territorial integrity, the Pristina Government has to win the hearts and minds of the Kosovo Serbs. How do you plan to do it?

"We have to increase interaction and also assist the international community in launching the process of electing legitimate leaders who would take ownership in the entire process of integration within existing constitutional arrangements. Where there is a will, there is a way – and the Kosovo Government is very interested in assuring all of its citizens of the dedication in pursuing the EU path."

Is there any official contact between Pristina authorities and North Kosovo Serbs?

"Yes – of course we keep in contact. These are our citizens. Unfortunately gangs have attacked in these areas on multiple occasions any Serbs who dare meet us or even participate in our political life as was the case of Kosovo MP Miletic, who shot last year or the Bosniak from the north and head of the election commission Shefko Salkovic, brutally murdered in front of his own house also only last year. We do not want to convince Northern Serbs that they have to love the Republic of Kosovo; we just want to ensure the plurality of opinion so those who may want to enjoy the benefits of working with the Kosovo Government can do so, without fearing for their life."

The Kosovo Prime Minister cites organized crime as the chief problem plaguing the Serb-dominated north, and vows to counter it and parallel criminal structures operatingthere. What is being done about organized crime and corruption in other parts of Kosovo?

"A progress report received from the European Union says that there was a certain pamount of progress in the fight against organized crime and corruption. Several high-level investigations are currently taking place against several former members of the government. We are dedicated in using all the means and tools available to us to establish a society where everyone will have opportunities, and we will not allow the minority to misuse and disrespect the system. This will not happen."

Belgrade-Pristina dialogue has hit a stumbling block over the recent unrest in northern Kosovo. Both sides are promising to be a constructive part of talks once they resume. How fast can this happen?

"We went twice to Brussels to wait for the Belgrade delegation who never showed up, so actually the Kosovo Government is waiting for Belgrade to be ready to resume talks. They are conditioning the EU with the issue of opening talks on northern borders, but as this is an internal issue on Kosovo and not a subject of dialogue as foreseen by the UN General Assembly. The EU and especially German Chancellor Merkel were rather clear on the issue of what needs to be done by Serbia and we are all waiting for the government in Serbia to be ready to resume the dialogue with us."

Some in Pristina hope that dialogue with Belgrade regulating technical issues could open the way for a peace treaty. Do you share that optimism?

"Inevitably, Kosovo and Serbia will be equal members of the international community. The sooner this is realized in Belgrade, the better for the whole of the Balkan community."

Next year Kosovo and Serbia will enter an election year and the danger is that no politician will talk about reconciliation, but mainly patriotism and nationalism to gain votes. Do you agree?

"The Government of Kosovo was dedicated to dialogue and peace regardless of any internal political dynamics. We hope for parties in Serbia not to engage in nationalist and inflammatory discourse."