Ambassador of the Great Britain to Kosovo Ian Cliff argues that political scene in Kosovo is not in crisis, whereas he sees nothing unusual in post-election negotiations which are protracting creation of the government. He also expressed a belief that agreement over the new government will be reached in next couple weeks.
“I wouldn’t call it crisis. Quite often in many European states there is a process between parties and politicians following elections, even the process of consultations with the Constitutional Court. Kosovo is a young state, and I hope that solution will be reached in couple weeks”.
He went on to say that new elections are not a solution since it wouldn’t change the current balance of powers.
“Citizens of Kosovo have voted several times in a year, they had both, local and central elections, and if there would be new parliamentary elections it would last for another couple months, whereas the result would be almost the same.”
On question about his expectations following todays’ meeting between mayor from northern Kosovo and EULEX, in light of the recent incident with the hostile messages posted in Northern Mitrovica against that international mission, British Ambassador replied that relations are tense currently, however he hopes that good cooperation will continue after the meeting.
Ongoing problem of young people in Kosovo is verification of diplomas. On question whether the time has come finally for mutual recognition of diplomas between Kosovo and Serbia, Cliff replied that there is a big problem with regard to non-coordination in the Ministry of Education of Kosovo. “I don’t know what’s the situation like in Serbia with regard to recognition of diplomas, however problem still remains with recognition of diplomas issued from the University in Northern Mitrovica, which is not the part of the Brussels Agreement between Pristina and Belgrade.”
“We are supporting working group of the Prime Minister’s Office for Communities and trying to find solution for this problem. Without recognition of diplomas, particularly from Serbia, along with diplomas from Northern Mitrovica, it is not possible for young people to be employed by Kosovo institutions,” said Cliff.
Asked about what has changed since his arrival in Kosovo, considering that his term of office is about to expire, Cliff said that he will stay in Kosovo until 2015, and that current situation is difficult. The biggest problems are unemployment and economy. However he assessed positively relations between Belgrade and Pristina.
“Three years after my arrival relations between Kosovo and Serbia are much better,” said Cliff and added that he didn’t believe that prime ministers of Kosovo and Serbia will start negotiations that fast
He also said that big progress has been achieved in relations between Kosovo and the European Union by signing the Stabilization and Association Agreement and assessed as a very positive process of integration of northern Kosovo. “Soon after my arrival, there was a big problem with barricades. Now we have the Park of Peace at the bridge, from that reason I think that many thing are better and that things are moving for the better, but as I said, we should keep focusing on problems with economy and unemployment,” said Cliff to RTK2.
