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Gazeta Express (25 Februay 2018)

Thaci said that the final agreement with Serbia will fully normalise relations between the two countries and will help reconciliation between the two nations. “Peace between Kosovo and Serbia means peace for the entire Western Balkan region,” Thaci said. He also said that the European Union should play a more proactive role with the support of the United States in order to reach the final agreement between Kosovo and Serbia. “Kosovo is ready, but one thing is sure: neither Kosovo nor Serbia will have a European future without a binding agreement and mutual recognition. Serbia cannot become part of the European family without recognising Kosovo. Therefore the sooner Serbia recognises Kosovo, the better,” Thaci said.  

Thaci reminded Serbia that soon they have to dialogue with Kosovo on demarcation of the border between the two states, and according to him, this will mean recognition of independence. “The question which remains is: How Serbia wants to join the EU? With Kosovo as part of its territory? No, never,” Thaci said.

Thaci also said that Kosovo has welcomed the EU Strategy on Western Balkans published by the European Commission, which includes also Kosovo, although as he said, he expected the document offer more clarity when it comes to Kosovo’s EU perspective. “But it has still time for this strategy be amended and corrected. We should fulfil our obligations. Kosovo will have visa liberalisation and a clear EU path,” Thaci said.

Talking on Kosovo relations with Serbia, Thaci said that regardless the fact that no one in Serbia has been indicted or convicted for over 400 massacres committed in Kosovo, his country has shown readiness when it comes to establishment of the Special Court which will deal with alleged war crimes, although Thaci said that he considers this court as ‘historical injustice.’ He said that this is the price that Kosovo is paying for its freedom and in order to preserve its partnership with the US, NATO and EU. “Because of cooperation with the US, EU and NATO, Kosovo has established this court. But we always considered this court as historical injustice, because the history cannot be rewritten, and at the same time Kosovo was a victim of a genocide committed by Serbia, and we have resisted to a dictator, Slobodan Milosevic,” Thaci said. He confirmed that Kosovo will closely cooperate with international justice adding that the war crimes court will function based on Kosovo legislation and with international authorities adding that Kosovo has nothing to hide.  

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