Kosnett to Express: Vetevendosje and LDK seem committed to building a functional coalition

Gazeta Express

04/12/2019 20:08

US Ambassador to Kosovo, Philip Kosnett, in an exclusive interview with Gazeta Express said he believes that the Democratic League of Kosovo and Vetevendosje are committed to building a functional coalition. “I think it is clear that on 6 October the people of Kosovo voted for change,” Kosnett said. The US Ambassador urged Vetevendosje leader and candidate for prime minister, Albin Kurti, and others to commit in fighting corruption.

“Message for Mr. Kurti and others is to fight corruption, to create an efficient government, and focus on the needs of people,” Kosnett said. Ambassador Kosnett said that Kurti has changed. “He is very intelligent and mature,” Kosnett commented. “I think Mr. Kurti knows very well the role an opposition leader plays to challenge ideas and to create politics is different to the role he plays as a prime minister of the state,” Kosnett said. “He is very intelligent and mature. He made it clear that the Vetevendosje has gave up political violence. It is a new party, it is a new era. I am looking forward working with him, as I have worked and cooperated with other political leaders in this country,” Kosnett said.

He also said that the Srpska List, a political entity representing Serbian community, is a reality and he expects Kurti to have a constructive approach towards Srpska List, who won all ten seats reserved for Serbian community in Kosovo Parliament. “I think that Srpska List is a political reality,” Kosnett said. “I strongly believe that Mr. Kurti understands well the Constitution of Kosovo. He understands the role that parties representing minorities play. And he said many times that he wants to be prime minister of all citizens of Kosovo. I think that he should talk more with Serb politicians in Kosovo, including Srpska List,” Kosnett said.

US Ambassador urged resumption of dialogue with Serbia as soon as new Government of Kosovo is formed. “We want the dialogue process produce a sustainable agreement, accepted by both nations and states, not only by political leaders, but an agreement acceptable to citizens of both countries,” Kosnett said. He said a potential agreement is possible during 2020 adding that the US administration is engaged to support this process. “I think delays in dialogue were not in Kosovo’s benefit. Has not helped the country economically. We have the problem of withdrawal of recognitions of Kosovo. Kosovo is not going in the right direction. And I think that improvement of relations with Serbia and other neighbours would create conditions for prosperity and opportunity for all people of Kosovo,” Ambassador Kosnett told Gazeta Express.

Ambassador Kosnett commented also on the land swap idea between Kosovo and Serbia. He said that he never saw a formal proposal for a comprehensive agreement or land swap. “Let me remind to your readers that the US position on territories was that we do not want to stop negotiators from both sides, from Kosovo and Serbia, from discussing on different issues. We have never actively pushed for some border changes,” Kosnett said. He reiterated that every comprehensive agreement should be acceptable to people and not only political leaders. “It is obvious that the land swap idea is not supported in Kosovo,” he said. /GazetaExpress/