Leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) and candidate for prime minister Ramush Haradinaj said in an interview with Voice of America in Albanian that though his term in office as prime minister of Kosovo got caught short due to him resigning after being summoned by the Specialist Chambers in The Hague, his government did manage to conclude a number of issues important for Kosovo. “The right to protection, to an army, the conclusion of the issue regarding an economic asset like Trepca, and at the same time many laws important for our internal functioning,” Haradinaj said.
In reference to allegations from his former coalition partners that he was responsible for cooling of relations with the United States, Haradinaj said the aim is to have strategic and not servile relations. “Kosovo’s strengthening and consolidation I believe is in the direct interest of America.” He added later: “The fact I was in the U.S. on the start of election campaign I think is an indicator that I did not break relations with the U.S.. I do not want to take credit for improving these relations because these are between the people and I don’t hide behind the U.S. when it becomes too hot or difficult.”
Haradinaj said Kosovo was forced to apply import tariff on Serbian products because of its obstructive actions towards Kosovo. “We have made a condition for Serbia to apologise for what it has done in Kosovo thus paving way for reconciliation and establishment of bilateral relations. My request therefore is mutual recognition that would result in free economic relations, i.e. opening of the market,” Haradinaj said.
“Kosovo has given a great deal for an agreement with Serbia. It adopted the Ahtisaari package that includes broad rights for Kosovo Serbs. Now Kosovo is in a situation where it does not know what more to give, it cannot open its borders to appease Serbia and cannot accept a Dodik Republic or a Putin Republic inside only to appease Serbia. Kosovo cannot do this as it would be as if it was fighting its own existence. I don’t think this is what America asks for, it has certainly never asked us for this and will most probably never will.”
Asked to comment on remarks that the new government of Kosovo is that of the dialogue with Serbia, Haradinaj said every government should primarily focus on strengthening of Kosovo, the rule of law, economy, education, healthcare. “Then come bilateral and multilateral issues.”
“I do believe though that the future government will have in its priority agenda also the issue of agreement for mutual recognition under existing borders with Serbia.”
