The Norwegian Ambassador, Jens Erik Grøndahl, thinks the situation in Kosovo and the region is calm, despite growing concerns following the Russian aggression in Ukraine. Recently, police officers have been the target of several attacks, which the ambassador strongly condemned and said such incidents are unacceptable. In an exclusive interview for KosovaPress, Grøndahl also talks about the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue and cooperation between our country and Norway.
Referring first to the security situation, the Norwegian ambassador said that in addition to concerns related to the attack on police officers in Zubin Potok, in general the situation in the country has been stable.
“I think so far, I’ve not seen any immediate concerns as a direct effect of the Ukraine conflict. And I think it’s very important to be vigilant and careful, you know, we a lot rely ourselves very much on the information we receive from the security organizations in Kosovo, like KSF, KFOR, EULEX, OSCE and so on. So, we follow the advice and the information that we get from the authorities in Kosovo and from institutions. Obviously, we have deeply concern about the shootings that took place in Zubin Potok recently. We have condemned this, we have supported the government of Kosovo with our concerns about these incidents, and we think they are a real threat to the stability. To my knowledge it’s been not easier to find out exactly who the perpetrators are. So, I think we should just leave the investigations to their final conclusions, but any incidents like that are absolutely unacceptable, and we cannot have this in a situation. So yes, and that specific incident, I think we have deep concerns, but on a general level, I think the region in and around Kosovo has been pretty stable even after conflict of Ukraine breaking out”, said Grøndahl.
Serbia is the only country in Europe that has not lined up with the West to sanction Russia following developments in Ukraine, and was even accused of becoming a gateway to Europe for the Russians.
In this regard, Ambassador Grøndahl says that they are watching carefully what Serbia is doing.
“We are happy that Serbia voted together with us and most of the world when it comes to condemning Russia in UN Security Council, and also in kicking Russia out of the human rights committee in the UN, we are pleased that they have been following the same line as every EU and NATO country, and European continent, Kosovo as well. But on sanctions, we are obviously watching carefully what every country is doing in this respect. But so far, we are we observing, what they are doing, and obviously, will be interesting to see what next step they might take when developments will unfold further”, said Grøndahl.
The Norwegian diplomat, in an interview for KosovaPress, also spoke about the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue. Lately, the parties did not agree to find a permanent solution on the license plate issue, while another meeting is scheduled for May 13.
The ambassador says that, despite the fact that the interim agreement with the stickers is working, a final solution is needed.
“I’m very hopeful and we need a solution to this situation. I believe the sticky regime is functioning very well practically, but we absolutely support a final agreement on the car plates but also all other issues that remains implemented from the Brussels agreements. And I think we would like to see freedom of movement, freedom of travel, documentation being accepted by everybody, car plates obviously as well, as long as they feel the criteria of European best practices for car plates. So, I hope there will be a solution to this problem soon. So, we can have an easier free flow of goods, people, and travel as soon as possible. That’s actually our hope”, said Grøndahl.
The Norwegian ambassador said that he respects Kosovo’s positions at the negotiating table and adds that it is good to be careful. He reiterated that his country supports the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue that would produce a final agreement with mutual recognition.
Grøndahl added that he understands the difficulties and that there are still many issues to be discussed between the two countries, but both sides must make efforts to find solutions to the open issues.
“We respect the positions of Kosovo, and we understand that this is not an easy deal to do. There are many overlapping considerations involved. I think it’s very good to be careful and make good considerations about implementations. I don’t think running fast will be helpful because there might be issues, you overlook, so to work very carefully and seriously about this is important. Obviously, we support the Kosovo government for the process of the dialogue, for a positive process of the dialogue to reach a final agreement with Serbia and the EU. This is also what we communicate to the authorities in Belgrade from their side, also, to reach out, and find a common ground, with Kosovo in these issues. So, I understand it takes time, but I’m absolutely hopeful. And I am optimistic that at some point, hopefully not too long there will be an agreement, but I don’t think it will be an easy ride, I think it would be a bumpy ride. I think there are many issues to be discussed, and there are many complicating factors that have consequences for both countries, and I understand that both parties would like to see what kind of consequences that could happen from making the agreement. But yes, we support the process, we support the dialogue led by Lajcak in Brussels, and we are absolutely hopeful that the parties will reach an agreement. So, this is absolutely our support. he said.
Asked if he is optimistic that a final agreement can be reached within this year, the ambassador answered “yes”.
“I hope so, I would like to say yes to this (reaching a final agreement between Kosovo and Serbia within this year), absolutely. I would like to say yes to that. So we have nine- ten more months left from this year. So I have a lot of hope. Yes,” he said.
Norway has consistently supported Kosovo through various projects, especially in the justice system as well as with advisers for dialogue and European integration.
Ambassador Grøndahl says they already want to focus more on tourism to bring more Norwegians to Kosovo.
“We have a limited commercial cooperation and trade with Kosovo, we have had some industrial production, but we have some money that we support the reforms in Kosovo, so mostly what we have been gauging in putting justice sector in Kosovo. We have made quite substantial investments in electronic case management system for the courts, the Palace of Justice in Prishtina, which has been an absolutely great success. We have also invested in economic growth through startup initiatives, and so on in Kosovo, we also support the dialog and the institutions, as you know, and I’m also working on very specifically to see if we can do more within tourism, because I think for Norwegians, they will find themselves very much at home in Kosovo, with mountains, beautiful villages, very hospitable people, and very good food, and many good cultural events going all the year around. And we have direct flights from Oslo to Prishtina several times a week. So, after the pandemics, now, I think it’s time for us to connect Norway and Kosovo much stronger than we have been able to in the past”, he said.
Asked if the Norwegians know about Kosovo as a country, the ambassador replied “yes, and no”. Recalling the period of war for which the Norwegians had supported Kosovo Albanians, Grøndahl says he would like to see more people from his country visit Kosovo.
“Kosovo absolutely came to everybody’s mind in the late 90s because of the conflict, unfortunately, but that’s how it is. So, I think a lot of people sympathized with the people in Kosovo, at that time. And Norway was one of the first countries to recognize Kosovo, and we have supported Kosovo for the consolidation of Kosovo as a new European state. So, in that sense, I think Kosovo has a very good word in Norway. But as a tourist destination, I think we should do much more. We have roughly 17,000 Norwegians with family background from Kosovo. They’re doing a great job speaking, highly about Kosovo in Norway, but I’d like to see more people coming down, and it’s also far away and I think, you know, people will feel safe and nice to go and travel in Kosovo, and I like the mountains, myself, you know, and these places that we talked about. So, I think this absolutely possibility to do more”, concluded Ambassador Grøndahl.
