German Ambassador to Kosovo, Rainer Rudolph, in an exclusive interview together with his British counterpart Jonathan Hargreaves for KosovaPress, spoke about the situation in the north of the country.
Rudolph said it was good to see that the transfer of power in the four northern municipalities was carried out in a calm and professional manner, adding that no one questions that Kosovo’s laws apply throughout its entire territory.
“My first visit to the north was at the beginning of this year, exactly when the new mayors had taken office. It was good to see that the transfer of power in all four northern municipalities took place in a calm and professional manner. On the other hand, no one questions that Kosovo’s laws apply across the entire territory of Kosovo. That is beyond dispute. What is important for us is that their implementation, given the sensitive history of the area, does not negatively affect the daily lives of citizens. For that reason, we engaged at the beginning of the year regarding the implementation of the Law on Foreigners, and we were pleased when an agreement was reached between the Prime Minister and the EU Special Representative, Peter Sorensen. That was the spirit in which we supported the process,” Rudolph told KosovaPress.Meanwhile, Hargreaves said London’s view is very similar, adding that it is very important for the government to implement the commitments it made on March 14, specifically regarding the Law on Foreigners.
Hargreaves further said it is in everyone’s interest in Kosovo that non-majority communities want to be part of the country’s future. “As Rainer said, this is an important opportunity for the rule of law to be applied across the entire country, but in a way that does not disproportionately harm those citizens who, for various reasons, have found it difficult to adapt to new conditions. It is very important that the government implements the commitments it made on March 14. More broadly, I think it is in everyone’s interest in Kosovo that non-majority communities feel safe, welcomed, and want to be part of the future of this wonderful country,” Hargreaves said.When asked whether he truly believes that Serbs in the north want this, meaning to be part of Kosovo’s future, Hargreaves replied: “Yes, I do.” He further said that Kosovo Serbs want quality education, good access to healthcare, employment opportunities, and economic development.
