The Kosovo government must be prepared to face the past, Albanians face a punishment they did not expect

OVK, Photo: EPA

Suniog also spoke in detail on the issue of corruption, the continuation of the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, the implementation of the JCC formation, the “mini Schengen”, as well as the political crisis in Pristina following the arrest of Hashim Thaci.

Government decision Kosova on the abolition of the Anti-Corruption Task Force provoked numerous harsh responses from international institutions in Pristina. In your opinion, why is Kosovo failing in the fight against corruption and how do you see future developments in this regard?

Kosovo is a young democracy, with frequent instabilities. This also affects the rule of law and people’s trust in institutions. The political will to fight corruption should not be nominal. It has to be real. True political will is a crucial element for effective long-term reform in any area, including the fight against corruption. The Kosovo 2020 report calls for strong and continued political will to effectively tackle corruption. Only then will real change occur. The government’s decision to abolish a special anti-corruption unit within the Kosovo police raises serious concerns about Kosovo’s commitment to fighting corruption. This department plays a key role in the fight against corruption, as indicated in the Kosovo 2020 Report and the Justice Follow-up Report presented by EULEX. Together with the other ambassadors, I met with Prime Minister Avdulah Hoti and Interior Minister Agim Veljiu to discuss cooperation in the field of rule of law, with a special focus on fighting organized crime and corruption. The Prime Minister assured us of his determination to strengthen the fight against crime and corruption and expressed his willingness to work together with international partners in this regard. We are now waiting for the Prime Minister to suggest a way forward. We hope that the government will consult closely with the EU on the next steps. There is a need to maintain an effective anti-corruption investigation capacity in the Kosovo Police.

There were many discussions in Pristina about continuing the work of the EULEX mission, and after participating in the arrest of former KLA leaders, there were many harsh comments. How important is the role of the European institutions in Kosovo and do you think the Pristina authorities will continue to challenge their presence?

The EU has contributed more to the development of Kosovo. I think people know. Politicians may have their own programs, but many people trust our presence and our help. The people of Kosovo, of all communities, are European. We share common values ​​and goals. The EU supports all spheres of life and all communities. In 2019 and 2020, the EU implemented 39 projects in the field of rule of law worth € 51 million. The Kosovo authorities must be the ones to recognize the potential of our assistance and guide Kosovo forward. When someone leaves, it can be clearer how much time is spent on delays, which should have been spent on progress. This must change. The political will to implement EU-related reforms is essential to ensure tangible and credible progress. Commitment to deep reforms is difficult to achieve amid continuing political fragility and instability, where short-term political agendas are targeting long-term reform efforts. This year, the situation was exacerbated by the Kovid-19 pandemic. The EU remains committed to helping Kosovo meet these challenges and calls on the institutions to take strong and united leadership in the necessary reforms.

The EU has once again assumed a crucial role in continuing the Pristina-Belgrade dialogue. How do you see the possibility of resolving the dispute over the establishment of the Union of Serbian Municipalities? This is a commitment made in Brussels seven years ago.

Dialogue is in the interests of both parties. Provides an opportunity for both parties to discuss all outstanding issues with each other. The community of Serbian municipalities is one of these problems. A debate on the JCC cannot be avoided if we want to reach a comprehensive agreement that addresses all outstanding issues between Pristina and Belgrade. The next step, which should be taken as soon as possible, is for the JCC’s draft statute to be presented to the main negotiators of both parties. We understand that the draft statute was prepared as envisaged in the 2015 agreement. What we need is for Pristina to agree to lead this discussion.

Do you think it is correct to expect Kosovo to change its constitution regarding the implementation of the Brussels Agreement?

First of all, this depends on what is agreed. In principle, once an international agreement is reached, the legal adjustments necessary to integrate it into the domestic legal order should be considered. This applies to both Kosovo and Serbia.

Do you expect the Kosovo authorities to implement their own law on the protection of the area around the Decani Monastery and build a planned road outside the protected area?

The rule of law is a fundamental European value. We always look forward to law enforcement. The agreement reached earlier this month regarding the long-standing problem of road rehabilitation in Decani and the Special Protection Zone, made possible by Italy with a key contribution from the KFOR commander, is good news. The Implementation and Monitoring Council (IMC), dedicated to discussing issues related to the Serbian Orthodox Church, chaired by the European Union and the government of Kosovo, approved the agreement on November 9, which will boost inter-community relations and economic development in the Decani region.

How do you interpret the idea of ​​abolishing the Extraordinary Chambers for War Crimes Committed in Kosovo?

In 2015, Kosovo made a clear international commitment to establish special chambers. The EU strongly supports the work of the special chambers and the special prosecutor’s office in Kosovo. It is especially important that they can do their work independently, without outside interference. Full cooperation with these institutions is essential as an important demonstration of Kosovo’s commitment to the rule of law, which is a key element for Kosovo’s progress on the European path and for the EU’s engagement with the Western Balkans as a whole.

How important do you think it is to investigate and prosecute the KLA crimes issue?

The Special Chamber and the Special Prosecutor’s Office were established by the Kosovo Assembly as independent judicial institutions with jurisdiction over crimes against humanity, war crimes and other crimes under Kosovo law committed during the war. It is important to always bear in mind that the Extraordinary Chambers will not hold responsibility to ethnic groups, organizations or communities, but only to individuals. In doing so, the Extraordinary Chambers will facilitate transitional justice and enable social progress, moving Kosovo forward on its European path. In this context, the cooperation of the Kosovo authorities remains essential to demonstrate Kosovo’s commitment to the rule of law and its readiness to confront its past.

According to the Washington agreement, Kosovo should join the “mini Schengen” project. What is your opinion on this and how important is it for Kosovo?

At a summit in Sofia earlier this month, the Kosovo prime minister, along with colleagues from the Western Balkans, signed a significant declaration on the establishment of a common regional market. This is good news for the entire region, and especially for Kosovo. Businesses and citizens will progressively benefit from the reduction of cross-border banking fees, the elimination of technical barriers to trade, the harmonization of investment policies, the recognition of professional qualifications in the region, the promotion of electronic commerce, etc. The EU supports inclusive regional cooperation and Kosovo’s participation in various regional configurations. Regional economic integration is part of the process of joining the EU. We are counting on the Kosovo government to promote it and implement the agreed action plan that establishes a common regional market in the Western Balkans.

Do you think that the current Kosovo government will continue to function or do you anticipate early parliamentary elections in Kosovo soon?

It is important for Kosovo to demonstrate maturity in dealing with political crises by ensuring the democratic functioning of its institutions. I believe that the leaders of Kosovo are capable of meeting the expectations of the people. At this difficult time in the kovid-19 pandemic, with its economic and health impact, people need institutions capable of responding to the needs and challenges that lie ahead. Regarding the presidential elections, following the resignation of the President of Kosovo, the President of the Assembly assumed the role of Acting President.