The representative of the European Parliament for Kosovo, Viola von Cramon, has stated that if visas are liberalized for Kosovo, then people will more easily accept the compromises that can emerge from the final agreement between Kosovo and Serbia.
According to her, the idea of changing the borders is toxic, so there can be no debate about it.
These statements, von Cramon made in an interview for KosovaPress, during which she also said that she is looking forward to the final agreement of the dialogue.
“We are all looking forward to having a final agreement, which would bring reconciliation for mutual recognition by both sides. Therefore, we must continue this dialogue in order to normalize relations between Kosovo and Serbia. This is the most important thing. It is important for you, for your citizens in Kosovo, it is important for us in the European Union, because without it there can be no European way for Kosovo “, she said.
According to her, Kosovo’s long-term perspective should be integration into the European Union. Compromise issues, she says, become more acceptable if visas are liberalized for Kosovo citizens.
“As I said, I am not a negotiating party and I do not have a mandate to tell anyone what a compromise might look like. I think it is very valuable to calculate everything that is important for the national interest. To calculate what is needed for Kosovo and what is the long-term perspective and I see that the long-term perspective is definitely integration into the European Union. But, you are right. For this, visa liberalization should be the first step, before the reform phase. I think that Europe must prove that it has done its job, that they will give the green light to the people of Kosovo and then I would say that it would be easier for the people of Kosovo to accept a compromise, whatever he “, she added.
Further, von Cramon also spoke about the idea of changing borders, which she called toxic, so there can be no debate about it.
“I absolutely share the perspective of the people that the change of borders is toxic and there can be no debate about it. It would hurt anyone in the region. We had a similar debate on Bosnia so we need to distance ourselves and leave that issue behind. I mentioned that the issue of missing persons is crucial and we know that there have been some achievements in this regard,” he said.
The representative of the European Parliament announced the agreement for the Association in the final agreement between the two countries.
According to her, the Republika Srpska in Bosnia should not be taken as a model.
“There will be something for the Association for Serb Minorities, but how it will be drafted and what it will look like, what will be its executive powers, I think, what kind of executive power it can have, and of course it should not be anything like Republika Srpska in Bosnia. Therefore, I think that many diplomatic forces should go through all the items of the Ahtisaari Plan and then the Association of Serb-majority municipalities will be just an issue. I understand why Prime Minister Kurti is not ready to talk only about this issue at this point and I share his position that we should wait and see what will be in the package, and then we will decide how to deal with this issues “, she continued.
As for visa liberalization, von Cramon said she doesn’t know why France is keeping the process blocked.
According to her, Kosovo has met the required criteria.
“I’m tired and sick of talking about it. Each time I am repeating myself. I share the frustration with you, I have no idea why France is doing this and is still keeping visa liberalization blocked in the Council. So, I can only appeal to my French colleagues, to the French president that the technical requirements have been met by Kosovo and now it is up to the member states of the Council, the majority of the member states to give the green light. But on the other hand, there are definitely domestic policy issues that play an important role in France, such as organized crime and corruption. The more Kosovo fights against these internal issues, the better and more hopeful it is to put pressure on France,” she concluded.
