Ulrike Lunacek, the European Parliament’s Rapporteur on Kosovo, said in an interview to Deutsche Welle that whoever wins the upcoming national elections in Kosovo they will have to meet the two remaining criteria for visa liberalization.
What do you expect from the upcoming elections in Kosovo?
I expect that all candidates, regardless of their party affiliations or coalitions, will make it clear during their campaigns that they will continue to follow the path of European integration. First of all, I expect that immediately after elections they will meet the two key criteria for visa liberalization, because this is in the interest of all the citizens of Kosovo. I hope the campaign will be held in an atmosphere of calm and cooperation, so that there are no threats or violent acts. In the past we have had very peaceful elections in Kosovo, and I hope the same will happen this time now.
You have observed previous parliamentary elections in Kosovo and you know the atmosphere there. How satisfied are you with the campaign so far?
From what I could see, there were good preparations. The election lists have been cleaned and dead people were removed from the lists. I think it is very important to not make promises that cannot be kept. Kosovars do not deserve to hear promises about honey and sugar and paradise, because they know what things can be achieved. So I would not like candidates making vain promises.
What conditions are you referring to, because Kosovo needs to meet many conditions in its road towards EU integration?
The two conditions are the ratification of the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro. The Prime Minister, and LDK and PDK representatives, agreed and signed a document that they will ratify the demarcation deal, at a meeting in Vienna on August 25, 2015. The other condition is sentencing senior officials that are involved in organized crime and corruption. Initiating cases against them is not enough, they need to be sentenced too. The border demarcation with Montenegro is one of the two conditions. The PDK and LDK, which are now in coalitions with other parties, signed the agreement back in 2015. They need to make it clear to their coalition partners that this condition must be met and that the agreement must be ratified.
In Kosovo there is another powerful party, the Vetevendosje Movement, which is claiming it will win the elections. I will not ask you about your predictions on who will win the elections, because I know you will not comment, but can you tell us briefly is it important for the European Union who will win the elections?
I will certainly not make any suggestions who people should vote for, but the European Commission, the European Council and everyone in the European Union, including myself, want peaceful elections and for the next head of government to follow the path of European integration. Let me remind you that a decision was made in Brussels this week to include Kosovo in the EU programs and this is very important for cultural exchanges, education and the economy of Kosovo. I hope Kosovo will have a stable government with the right majority in Parliament, which can carry out the key tasks of the country. Only a government that can meet the required conditions can secure visa liberalization.
Speaking of visa liberalization: there are political parties that are promising a quick visa liberalization, they even mention certain timelines. How serious are such promises?
This is what I meant in the beginning when I said that they should not make promises they cannot keep. Often on the eve of elections, voters are faced with promises that cannot be kept. This is not realistic and everyone needs to understand this. The sooner Parliament is formed, a ruling coalition is established, the demarcation agreement is ratified and a list is prepared with people sentenced for organized crime and corruption, the sooner Kosovo will get visa liberalization. But I don’t think it is OK to make promises about timelines when this will happen. It is better to say: yes, we will meet our obligations and this will help voters get a better picture.
You are talking about the two key conditions for visa liberalization, but in addition to the economy and other challenges, Kosovo is also involved in dialogue with Serbia. Some parties in Kosovo have promises they will review the Brussels Agreement and other agreements with Serbia. Is this possible and what do you think will be the fate of dialogue with Serbia?
I think it is very important to implement all agreements by the Republic of Kosovo (I repeat: the Republic of Kosovo and not someone else) and Serbia. The agreement must be implemented. To be honest: I don’t want to hear about promises that there will be renegotiations or new negotiations on the agreements that have already been reached. The agreements reached are valid for both sides – Serbia and Kosovo. We know that there are many things that Serbia needs to do. But promises that the Brussels Agreement and other agreements will be reviewed are not serious. Kosovo and Serbia have lost precious time and the agreements must be implemented.
I understand that you don’t want to comment on the outcome of elections, but personally can you foresee a successful dialogue between Haradinaj or Kurti and Vucic?
I hope you will get me right but I don’t want to comment on this or make any suggestion. This decision is in the hands of the voters in Kosovo.
