UK Ambassador to Kosovo Jonathan Hargreaves has expressed hope that after the electoral process, political parties will reach an agreement on forming institutions and electing the country’s new president.
Speaking to KosovaPress while observing the election process in Zubin Potok, Hargreaves said that he and other diplomats are part of the EU-coordinated diplomatic observation team known as “Diplo Watch,” which is monitoring developments across Kosovo.
“Our job is to ensure we have a clear overview across Kosovo of what is happening. People at polling stations have been very helpful and welcoming. I want to commend them and all those who are enabling the smooth running of these elections,” he said.
When asked whether he hopes these will be the last elections for the next four years, the British ambassador said many citizens in Kosovo share that expectation.
“I get the impression that many people in this country hope these will be the last elections for this year. If another election is necessary, then it will happen. But it would be very good if, after these elections, political parties could reach an agreement not only on the assembly and government, but also on the election of the president,” he said.
According to Hargreaves, it is in Kosovo’s interest for new institutions to be formed as quickly as possible.
Commenting on the issue of electing the president and the sequencing of institutional processes, he said this is entirely the responsibility of political parties.
“This is entirely up to the political parties to resolve among themselves. I simply believe that Kosovo needs an assembly, a government, and a president as soon as possible, while it is up to the parties to determine the sequence and outcome of this process,” the British ambassador stressed.
