In the following you can find the full article published on August 26 in “Die Welt” from the interview of Prime Minister Kurti conducted on August 17 with the journalist Christoph B. Schiltz.
Due to the provocations by Serbia, the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, in the conversation with the newspaper WELT, asks for the increase of the defence force of NATO – and more German soldiers. Because the neighbouring country is closely connected politically and militarily with Russia
WELT: Prime Minister, your country has about 1.8 million inhabitants. What are the three biggest challenges?
Prime Minister Kurti: First, we need foreign direct investment and, related to this, new jobs, especially for young people. Tax revenues have recently increased by 34 per cent without changing fiscal policy. People are willing to pay more taxes, because they know this government is not corrupt. I encourage all European companies to invest in Kosovo. We have technology parks like in Prizren, high export growth and a young and well-trained workforce. Second, we must take even tougher measures against corruption. The judiciary and criminal prosecution must be even more efficient. However, there are significant improvements: we have raised 17 places in Transparency International’s Corruption Index, as well as Reporters without Borders’ Press Freedom Index. And according to the World Justice Project, we rank first among the six countries of the Western Balkans in the principles of the rule of law. The third challenge is: Serbia is a threat to us. It is building illegal structures, especially in the north of Kosovo, and continues to maintain very close ties with Russia.
WELT: You are following a policy of reciprocity towards Belgrade. Concretely, this means that what applies to the citizens of Kosovo in Serbia, must be practiced on the other side as well. Serbian license plates on the cars of Kosovo citizens should be replaced with Kosovo license plates in the future. In addition, Serbian passports are no longer sufficient to enter Kosovo, an additional document valid for 90 days must be issued.
Prime Minister Kurti: Yes, the measure was valid for the first time on August 1. We issued 2,679 travel documents that day without encountering any problems. The documents are issued digitally, within 20 seconds and it costs the Serbs nothing. On the other hand, if citizens of Kosovo want to travel to Serbia, they have to wait from ten minutes to over an hour, unless the border officials accept bribes. There were reports that Kurti wanted to take the passports of the Serbs. This is complete nonsense. We do not take passports, we only ask for one additional document.
WELT: However, on July 31 there were riots; barricades were erected at several border points and shots were fired at Kosovar policemen.
Prime Minister Kurti: The July 31 riots were not caused from ordinary citizens of the Serbian minority of northern Kosovo, but from organized crime, who are on Serbia’s payroll and were informed in meetings in Belgrade about what they should do in Kosovo. This was commissioned work. After the barricades were lifted, I – in consultation with the US and the EU – postponed the application of the measures for 30 days.
WELT: Does this mean that those measures will be applied within a few days?
Prime Minister Kurti: Planned border controls for Serbian citizens wishing to travel to Kosovo and new license plate regulations will be mandatory from September 1. If Serbia agrees to waive border controls in the future, then we will do the same. Then, on September 1, there will be no new rules.
WELF: Are you ready to shake hands with Vucic and get to recognize Serbia?
Prime Minister Kurti: The agreement based on dialogue between our two countries should be legally binding and should be based on mutual recognition. Such an agreement requires a handshake.
WELT: Is Vladimir Putin playing with fire in Kosovo?
Prime Minister Kurti: I believe that neither Serbian President Vucic nor Russian President Putin can abuse the Serbian minority in Kosovo. Ordinary citizens do not participate in war policies against our country. That’s why there are people on Serbia’s payroll. These criminals wilfully incite riots over and over again. But we are vigilant, we are not afraid of these criminals.
WELT: Does Kosovo need more than the current 3,800 NATO KFOR soldiers it has to adequately defend itself?
Prime Minister Kurti: We have increased the defence budget by 52 per cent and our national security forces are projected to have 5,000 soldiers and 3,000 reservists. But there are 48 Serbian military bases around Kosovo. Russia and Serbia cooperate closely in military policy, they undertook a total of 104 manoeuvres and activities together in 2021. Due to the threat from Serbia and Russia, there is an urgent need to significantly increase the number of NATO soldiers in Kosovo. This would definitely improve our security. It would also help if more German soldiers participated in NATO’s defence forces, which increases deterrence. In addition, KFOR troops can help us to further expand our security structures and capacities.
WELT: When will Kosovo apply to become a candidate for EU membership?
Prime Minister Kurti: This autumn or winter, at the latest by Christmas 2022, we will apply to become a candidate for EU membership.
WELT: What makes you so sure this will work?
Prime Minister Kurti: We are the most pro-democratic and pro-Western country in the Western Balkans. In addition, we already have close contractual ties with the EU through the Stabilization and Association Agreement, on which we can build. In addition, the security of the European continent is threatened after Russia’s completely unjustified attack on Ukraine. Therefore, it is important to have a stable partner like Kosovo on your side in the Western Balkans. So both parties would benefit equally.
WELT: When will Kosovo join the EU?
Prime Minister Kurti: Certainly not this year or next year. This will take time.
WELT: How much?
Prime Minister Kurti: A time frame from Brussels with benchmarks to achieve would be absolutely necessary. It would be important for someone influential in the EU to stand up and say: All six countries of the Western Balkans must join the EU by 2030. We were promised this in 2003. No one should be afraid of us. The six countries of the Western Balkans together with 18 million inhabitants are the same as the Netherlands. Economic power corresponds to Slovakia’s gross domestic product. In addition, every third resident of the Western Balkans no longer lives at home, but somewhere in Western Europe, mainly in Germany.
Last modified: August 28, 2022