Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj said in an interview to Fol Hapur that talks between Kosovo and Serbia must enter a final phase as Kosovo has remained hostage of the process and cannot move forward. “I was against the idea of Kosovo continuing with the existing dialogue because I believed that it was not having any effect. When I went to Brussels for the first time I told them this dialogue is not enough for resolving problems between Kosovo and Serbia. They asked me what I want. I told them that the process must enter a final phase. Mogherini told me that she understood what I am saying but that it is up to us to bring the process to a final phase by implementing the agreements that have already been achieved. The biggest setback was the Association, as Serbia used the Association as an excuse for not implementing the other agreements. The final phase requires political readiness. Trump, Merkel, May and Macron should find some time and decide what they will do with the Kosovo issue,” Haradinaj said. He suggested that the Kosovo Assembly should come up with a platform on dialogue and that there already is a basic concept and a strategy in this respect. “The President [Thaci] has all the opportunities, and when he gets involved in the process it is not that he is taking it over from the government. Kosovo has no reason to hesitate from entering the final phase. I think this is the best thing. I have asked for this to happen because I believe we are being held hostage in this situation. Serbia has not moved forward. I agree that the Assembly should draft a platform for Kosovo’s institutions. There is a basic document, a basic concept, we are already clear on what Kosovo cannot accept,” he added. Haradinaj said the most problematic issue is the Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities and said that he cannot make any decision without confirming that the agreement is in line with the ruling of the Constitutional Court. “I cannot empower this without an assessment from the Constitutional Court. That is the only way. I have no other choice but to implement the ruling of the Constitutional Court”. Haradinaj said Kosovo’s Armed Forces can be formed anytime but that things must be properly calculated first. “This can happen next week if needed. But we need to calculate things first and agree with international mechanisms whose consent we need to establish the armed forces,” he said. On the arrest and deportation of six Turkish nationals, Haradinaj said he had no information and that the incident “came out of the blue”. He said the head of the Kosovo Intelligence Agency and the Interior Minister were obliged to inform him on the matter and that their failure to do so resulted in their resignations. He also added that the incident should not be seen as lack of professionalism by the Intelligence Agency “because this organization is very professional and it has done many good things”. Haradinaj said he does not interfere in Turkey’s affairs and that within Kosovo’s borders he will act in accordance with the laws and Constitution of Kosovo.
