Lajcak increases pressure on dialogue with Serbia, Vjosa Osmani sets conditions, set against border revision

Yesterday, a meeting was held between the Special Envoy of the European Union and the Acting President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani. Their meeting was part of a series of meetings planned during Lajcak's three-day visit to Kosovo, a visit that will be followed by meetings prepared in Serbia. After the meeting, Mr. Lajçak and Ms. Osmani appeared at a joint press conference where they announced what was discussed during their conversation. The acting president clarified that the discussion with the EU envoy was very substantial and that one of the topics that was widely discussed was that of dialogue with Serbia. "I made it clear on behalf of the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo and in particular on behalf of the institution that I represent and that is the leader of the international relations of the country, that the dialog should have a reset. There should be a review that will help Kosovo to be better prepared and above all to respect its own interests, the interests of its citizens, in a process which should definitely result in mutual recognition, within the current borders of Kosovo and the current Constitution ", said Osmani.

Osman's messages

Ms. Osmani further accused Serbia of not implementing most of the agreements reached between the two countries. "Kosovo has always extended a hand of cooperation to its neighbors, even in the case of Serbia, although Serbia has not yet apologized for the horrific crimes it committed in Kosovo, we have been part of the dialogue. It is time for Serbia to be held accountable for its crimes in Brussels and everywhere, and for justice to be sought against it. "Only in this way will there be lasting peace in the entire region", declared Osmani. The presidential candidate strongly emphasized that Kosovo's borders are not one of the points that can be discussed in the dialogue process and that the status as an independent country has been a closed topic for the Republic of Kosovo since 2008. "We aim to open of a new chapter in dialogue, because we must ensure that the mandate we receive from the Assembly is fully implemented, which means respecting the red lines set by Parliament, for example, that negotiations on Kosovo's current borders are not allowed, which means ensuring Kosovo's territorial integrity by "not to be part of the dialogue, because Kosovo closed its status on February 17, 2008", she said. Ms. Osmani also clarified the importance of cooperation with the opposition in this process, because according to her only when Kosovo speaks with one voice can be won. She also expressed the expectation to have the best possible coordination between the EU and the US. "We expect the dialogue to be between two equal countries and so we expect to be treated by the EU as well."

Nga ana tjetër, zoti Lajçak është shprehur se nuk sheh asnjë pengesë që dialogu mes Kosovës e Serbisë të mos përfundojë gjatë mandatit të Albin Kurtit dhe Vjosa Osmanit. Lajçak u shpreh se nuk mendon se ky është një proces që mund të marrë vite për të përfunduar, por që gjithsesi siç theksoi ai, duhet të ketë vullnet për dialog nga të dy palët. “Dua të ju them se do të vazhdojmë, sa më shpejt që Kosova dhe Serbia të jenë të gatshme. Kjo çështje mund të përfundojë në disa muaj, por nuk është çështje vitesh. Nuk është mbi ne që ta shpejtojmë këtë çështje. Nuk do të ngutemi, U takon Kosovës e Serbisë që të vendosin sa shpejt duan të vazhdojnë, nëse duan të takohen në baza javore apo mujore. Ne nuk presim të zgjasë 3 apo 5 vjet nëse ka vullnet për këtë proces”, tha ai. Lajçak po ashtu tha se e mbështet plan programin e Kurtit dhe Osmanit për Kosovën.