Kosovo’s deputy assembly speaker Xhavit Haliti said he was concerned the first day the decision for 100-percent tariff on products from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina was imposed. He however added that when he looked at it from the perspective which is related to the direct relations with Serbia and Serbia’s continuous impeding of recognitions of Kosovo as well as integration in international institutions, he started wondering if this was necessary. “I am a fan of implementing the rules of the international community in general, regulations that are set and regulate the international market as well as functioning of the relations among the countries as well as regions,” he said.
Asked about the idea of eventual change of the borders between Kosovo and Serbia, Haliti said “I think that media imposed more the idea that President Hashim Thaci is for change of the borders. I have not heard him say that we will change them or that we are going to give or take this,” he said.
“He sought some territories that are inhabited by Albanians that we sometimes call Presevo Valley and sometimes mention the names. The ideas are different but I think that no action was undertaken, there is no signing of any agreement and it is something that I would call an effort for balance with Serbia that always insisted to take over the north and install its own policy there,” he said.
Asked about eventual agreement between Kosovo and Serbia, Haliti said that if the parties agree, the agreement could be reached with mediation of the EU and support of the U.S. “But we have a third factor that is interfering on Balkans matters, that is Russia,” he said.
“Serbia’s interest is not to allow Kosovo prosper while our interest is to be part of the EU and we have to work for this cause,” Haliti said.
