Prishtina, 8 August 2011
Voice of America: Mr. Prime Minister, an agreement reached with the NATO forces on overcoming the situation created over the last few days in the north of Kosovo has not been implemented in its first point which implies removing of the road blockades? Are you concerned about its implementation?
Prime Minister Thaçi: Common understanding between the Government of the Republic of Kosovo and NATO is the biggest achievement after the declaration of the independence of Kosovo, because it definitely implies full respect for the decision of the Government of Kosovo on reciprocity between Kosovo and Serbia that deploys NATO at the border between Kosovo and Serbia. So, on the 25th of July happened something that should have happened in June 1999. The Decision of the Government of Kosovo was just, lawful, constitutional and necessary. It was a decision that has created new circumstances, a new reality, a new situation, a new chapter, that of rule of law throughout the entire territory of the Republic of Kosovo. About the road blocks, we have been informed and we are closely following the situation. Some citizens in the north are still being manipulated and influenced by the criminal structures. I want to point out that the first point of the agreement between the Government of the Republic of Kosovo and NATO will be implemented soon and the blockages and blockers have their hours numbered. Otherwise, the Government of the Republic of Kosovo will use all its constitutional and legal capacities to open the roads.
Voice of America: It has been two weeks today since you ordered the Kosovo Police special units to put border crossing points in the north under control. Have the objectives of this operation been met?
Prime Minister Thaçi: The first goal was to ensure full respect for the decision of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo on reciprocity. Now we have the presence of NATO, the presence of the Kosovo Police, Kosovo custom officers and EULEX police at point 31. While at point 1, because of the circumstances created by the violent activities of the criminal structures, we have the American troops deployed. That is to say that at points 1 and 31 there is a military limited zone where no one can pass through without being identified. This is taking place for the first time in 12 years. Not a single person or car can pass without being legitimized or checked for weapons or the activities they are involved. On the other hand, smuggling at points 1 and 31 has been stopped 100%. We have for the first time started to establish law and order at the most distant part of the territory of the Republic of Kosovo. Now the entire border zone is controlled, managed and monitored by NATO authorities for the first time. The secondary roads too, which have been used for smuggling, have been sealed and are under the control of KFOR authorities.
Voice of America: Today, for example, are there customs officers at the border crossing points?
Prime Minister Thaçi: Yes, at point 31. And once the working conditions are created they will also be present at point 1. In this direction there will be no compromise at any price with anyone. The decision of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo will be fully respected.
Voice of America: Mr. Prime Minister, the recent developments have reopened the issue that has been discussed for 12 years now, that of eventual division of Kosovo. This concern was also raised by the head of the Kosovo diplomacy. Is this risk still open?
Prime Minister Thaçi: There is no chance for the division of Kosovo. There have been ideas, intentions, projects and also concrete objectives about the division of Kosovo. Something like that will not happen. We now have a completely new reality. We have the constitutional and legal authority of the Republic of Kosovo established also at that part of the territory of the Republic of Kosovo. I reiterate that the division of Kosovo, be it an objective or a dream, is not going to happen, as Belgrade intends. However, we have raised our concern and we have confirmed it with all the international authorities that any attempt to change the borders of Kosovo would imply changers in the borders of at least six countries in our region. And the north of Kosovo is not only a Kosovo issue. It is a European and also an all international problem.
Voice of America: But, Mr. Prime Minister, how is the northern part going to integrate if it does not recognize and accept the institutions of Kosovo?
Prime Minister Thaçi: We have had an unpleasant situation there for 12 years, a situation that has violently been controlled by criminal structures. Courts must become operational there, the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo must function there, and there has to be rule of law and order. There will be no amnesty for the criminal structures; they will face the rule of law and justice. I call on the Serbian citizens to be part of the democratic engagements, to be part of the new life, to participate in the civilized and modern life we are building throughout the entire territory of the Republic of Kosovo, to be part of our European engagement, and to definitely get away from criminal structures. Their future is recognizing Prishtina as a capital city and they will in no way remain hostage or victims of the criminal structures directly encouraged by the policymakers in Belgrade.
Voice of America: But, Mr. Prime Minister, what will your offer be? You have often said you are going to be engaged in finding a creative solution in the north. What does that mean? The possibility of an extended autonomy for the Serbs in the north has also been discussed. Can this be one of the forms of the solution?
Prime Minister Thaçi: The north of Kosovo will not be on the table of discussions in any way. The best solution is the full respect of the Constitution and the laws of Kosovo and that is a necessity. And we are obliged to and we will respect the Constitution. Their participation in the democratic life, namely the creation of the new municipality is the solution. If not, let them participate in one municipality. Let them elect their legitimate leaders. Part of the solution is the organization of free elections and continuation of investments in that part of the territory of the Republic of Kosovo. The situation there has been kept under the control of a group of criminal and armed structures that have gained illegal profits, and there will be no compromise whatsoever in relation with them. Meanwhile, I call on the citizens to definitely distance themselves from them and be part of the progressive life, part of the democratic institutions and part of the democratic life.
Voice of America: Following the recent developments, do you believe in the continuation of discussions with Serbia, and how can you exclude the north from these talks when it is perhaps the most disputable issue not only in Kosovo but also beyond?
Prime Minister Thaçi: For the internal regulation of the Republic of Kosovo, it is us, the institutions of Kosovo, that decide. We are the elected representative of the people and we make the right decisions in line with the national interest of the country. Kosovo is home to all its citizens. The decisions of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo have not been intended against the Serbian community. They aim at creation of the rule of law and will be targeting the criminal structures in a new future. Therefore the internal regulation has been clearly determined by the Constitution, the applicable laws and the President (Martti) Ahtisaari’s document. But, in no circumstance will there be special treatments. And there should be a clear division between the dialogue agenda between the state of Kosovo and Serbia in Brussels and the internal regulation of the Republic of Kosovo, as it is under our complete authority. We will continue to behave responsibly in terms of the dialogue in Brussels, but there will be no return whatsoever to the situation before the 25th of July.
Voice of America: How is the situation between now and September going to be overcome?
Prime Minister Thaçi: Roads will be unblocked. We have a limited military zone. We will have the presence of the international institutions and of the Republic of Kosovo. The train that circulates from Belgrade in the direction of Mitrovica and vice versa will be controlled by the Kosovo and EULEX police supported by NATO. Meanwhile, there will be no circulation of commercial goods. We will continue with our engagement for the rule of law in all aspects, including political aspects, and at the same time we will look at the opportunities for social and economic investments. And the perspective of both countries is that Kosovo as a state and Serbia as a state integrate as soon as possible in the EU structures.
Voice of America: Mr. Prime Minister, after the operation in the north, it has been said that you have opened two fronts: one in the north and one with the European Union and its mission in Kosovo which you fiercely criticized for failing to support the operation. Have these relations entered a new stage?
Prime Minister Thaçi: EULEX was initially unprepared for the new circumstance. But, the EU mission changed in the following days. The head of EULEX, Mr. De Marnhac, has publicly stated that he is going to respect the Constitution and the laws of Kosovo. We want EULEX, which has been invited by the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo, to succeed. I want to believe that this success will be proven in the days to come in terms of close relations with the institutions of Kosovo, to stand by the side of the local institutions and to have joint commitments. Therefore I want to believe that we will have concrete engagements to also change the image of the EULEX mission in the Republic of Kosovo. We want to have joint progress. We have only one future, and that is the European future for the Republic of Kosovo. And in this respect, the European Union is united today in supporting the Republic of Kosovo establish the rule of law throughout the entire territory of Kosovo.
So what is different from the 25th of July and today two weeks later is that on the 25th of July there was a lack of clarity in Brussels, while today everything is clear. Kosovo has the unique support of the EU to establish the rule of law throughout the entire territory of the Republic of Kosovo including the north.
Voice of America: Have you been scolded, so to put it, by your international friends for your harsh rhetoric about EULEX?
Prime Minister Thaçi: In fact, the EULEX’s lack of clarity was their internal problem that could have had consequences; however, the decisions of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo were not intended against anyone. We have been discussing for 12 years now with the international community how to simply act and establish the rule of law also in that part of the territory of the Republic. There has been hesitation for 12 years and dry discussions. The decision of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo has been necessary and at the right time and just, and I take pride in that decision and I thank all the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo for their full support, and also the political spectrum for their support. Kosovo has shown a functional unity that has also determined the position of the entire international community in relation to the new circumstances in the Republic of Kosovo. This is a success of the Kosovo politics; it is a success of all the citizens of the country and a result of the close cooperation with the entire international community, with the US, the EU and other mechanisms present in the country, KFOR and EULEX.
Voice of America: Has the US been backing you in this operation?
Prime Minister Thaçi: The US has been supportive of the establishment of the rule of law throughout the entire territory of the Republic of Kosovo and I want to point out, as you have seen the latest developments, that Washington and Brussels are strong supporters of the rule of law throughout the territory of the Republic of Kosovo and of respect for the full integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Kosovo, and for that I am grateful to both Washington and Brussels.
Last modified: July 28, 2022