Leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) and former prime minister Ramush Haradinaj has supported the resumption of dialogue with Serbia, but has stated that it should be made clear to everyone that Kosovo must not take part in talks over land swap.
Haradinaj told KosovaPress that the Constitution clearly stipulates that the Prime Minister should lead the Kosovo team in negotiations with Serbia.
“Kosovo should not sit in talks without clearly explaining that it does not participate in a table where our territory, borders or constitutional order are discussed. We cannot be open to discuss every topic, Kosovo does not have the luxury to discuss every topic,” he said.
He noted the importance of framing the dialogue on principles.
When asked whether a deal should be reached before September, Haradinaj replied that Kosovo has no time to lose.
“It is in Kosovo’s interest to reach an agreement on mutual recognition on the existing borders between Kosovo and Serbia, it is in our interest. It’s been 20 years, we don’t have time to waste. But, of course, Kosovo demands mutual recognition within the existing borders in respect of statehood and territorial integrity, constitutional order. We are pleased that President Trump’s administration is interested in pushing this issue forward. Whenever it happens, we welcome the resumption of the dialogue, but as I said before, it should be clarified that Kosovo wants an agreement on mutual recognition to be reached within the existing borders,” Haradinaj concluded.
Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti has also stated that exchange of territories will be out of the agenda of the EU-led dialogue.
EU special envoy Miroslav Lajcak is expected to visit Pristina on Monday and discuss the resumption of dialogue with the country’s political leaders.
