The Kosovo Prime Minister some months ago said that the EU (but also the US) “treats Kosovo only nominally equal with Serbia, but not in essence” (Delfi.ee). You, having served as the Head of the EU Office in Kosovo throughout these years could you say otherwise?

I want to stress that the EU is an impartial facilitator in the Dialogue process aimed at normalizing relations between Kosovo and Serbia. It has always treated them equally. The EU expects both Kosovo and Serbia to implement the Agreement on the Path to Normalization, its Implementation Annex and all previous Dialogue agreements without delay or preconditions. We continue to stand ready to help Kosovo and Serbia in every step along the way, but they are the ones who have to take those steps and move forward.

This aligns with our vision for this region, which is very clear: all our Western Balkan partners have a clear European perspective. This undoubtedly includes Kosovo, and our political cooperation and financial assistance illustrate this commitment. I understand that the integration process is long and complex; it requires dedication and hard work from those aspiring to become EU members.

While Kosovo has remained committed to its European path, more work needs to be done, and the pace of reforms needs to be accelerated. Kosovo should make tangible and irreversible progress, starting with the fundamentals: the rule of law, human rights, the economy, and the functioning of democratic institutions.

The EU punitive measures continue to sting on Kosovo for almost a year now. We have read what the conditions of their removal are (the 3rd June statement), but the Kosovo authorities maintain that they’ve achieved deescalation as required. What is your reading of it?

The EU has made specific requests to Kosovo in June 2023 and those have been clearly and repeatedly communicated to Kosovo side.

Are you optimistic that the measures be lifted any time soon?

Already in September 2023, the EU Member States stressed that the EU stands ready to lift the measures in case of progress in fulfilling the existing requests. With its Conclusions of 12 December 2023, the Council noted that it would discuss the EU measures on the basis of a report by the High Representative on the fulfilment of the EU requests. This report should be presented to the Council shortly.

I am hopeful that we will be able to focus our attention on the reforms that are critical for bringing Kosovo closer to the EU and are in the best interest of the people of Kosovo.

The Kosovo Government has been accused of acting without coordination with the QUINT ambassadors, KFOR, EULEX; but also and without consultation of any kind with the Serbian community who were exposed to the consequences of some decisions without having been informed beforehand. Many times, even euro-parliamentarians that were supportive of this government had to remind them of the Kosovo Constitution and the Ahtisaari Plan of Kosovo as a multi-ethnic country, and that as such it was recognized worldwide. Could you say there have been any serious deviations to that fundament that it was necessary to point that out frequently?

While I would not use the phrase "serious deviations," I would say that some decisions made by Kosovo’s authorities do not adequately consider the consequences for all affected communities, risking significant complications in their lives. For example, this was the case with the Regulation on Cash Operations of the Central Bank of Kosovo. Or, as noted in a recent QUINT plus EU statement, the Government of Kosovo's decision not to allow Patriarch Porfirije of the Serbian Orthodox Church and his accompanying bishops to enter Kosovo is contrary to the provisions of the Ahtisaari Plan and inconsistent with Kosovo’s obligations in the EU-facilitated Dialogue.

Given Kosovo’s stated intention to advance on its EU path, we expect that Kosovo’s multi-ethnic character is reflected in all its decisions and that the affected communities are consulted in a timely manner on all decisions affecting their lives. Making an appropriate impact assessment and providing sufficient time for consultations are also important signs of good governance.

France, Germany and Italy conditioned the final vote on Kosovo’s eventual membership to the Council of Europe with the draft-Statute of the ASM and it being sent for constitutional review. The PM called it an “absurd” request and rejected it. He says “Strasbourg is not Brussels' '. Well, since Kosovo agreed that all its European path is inter-connected with the Brussels dialogue, doesn’t that make Strasbourg practically Brussels for Kosovo?

It is for the member States of the Council of Europe to decide on issues linked to this organisation, including on its membership.

However, both the EU and the Council of Europe are organisations based on the respect for rule of law, human rights and protection of the rights of people belonging to national minorities.

The establishment of the Association/Community of Serb majority municipalities is Kosovo’s longstanding unfulfilled obligation, a clear legal obligation for Kosovo, and thus a rule of law issue important to both organizations.

In October 2023, the EU, supported by its Member States and partners, presented a Draft Statute for the establishment of the Association based on the best European models and practices, as well as the Kosovo legal framework. We expect that this Draft Statute will be presented to the Constitutional Court of Kosovo in such a way that it is accepted by the Court for substantial consideration.

During the time you served as an ambassador in Kosovo, what would you say you’d remember the most as a success achieved by the EU and you personally?

Visa liberalisation. Indeed, visa liberalisation is one of the brightest moments of my mandate. As of 1^st January, the holders of Kosovo passports have the right to travel to the Schengen area for short-term stays without having to apply for a visa. In this way, they will be able to get to know better the EU and explore the diversity that unites us. Visa liberalization was the result of years of a joint hard work between Kosovo’s institutions, governments, EU institutions, EU Member States, civil society, media, and others.

This decision is also an essential step in the enlargement process, a recognition of the hard work that Kosovo has done, and a token of appreciation towards the Kosovo society, which is so supportive of the EU integration process.

Link to interview (in Albanian):  https://nacionale.com/politike/interviste-ambasadori-evropian-presim-qe-qeveria-kurti-ta-dergoje-ne-kushtetuese-draftin-e-lajcakut-per-asociacionin