Prishtina, 9 March 2018 – Today the Leader of the “Lëvizja Vetëvendosje” (Self-Determination Movement), Mr. Albin Kurti, through a public letter, and during the media conference, has presented the option for solving the issue of the border demarcation.
The option presented, in addition to not being based on facts and the political and legal reality created, is rather not an option at all, as its proposes more timewasting in conferences, symposiums and theoretical debates, at a time when our citizens are expecting the MPs of the assembly of the Republic of Kosovo – and particularly those of “Lëvizja Vetëvendosje”- to be more resolute and responsible.
The citizens of Kosovo do not need conferences and theoretical discussions; rather they need state decisions that would ensure free movement. Mr. Kurti’s public letter is, in the worst case scenario, based on the daily politics agenda, or in the best case scenario is a lack of knowledge on the visa liberalisation process.
In June 2012, Kosovo has received 94 criteria within the Visa Liberalisation Roadmap. So far, Kosovo has fulfilled 92 of them. The remaining criteria are clear and written by the European Commission in the legal visa liberalisation proposal of May 2016, which requires: Ratification of the Agreement on the Demarcation of the Border with Montenegro, and strengthening the fight against organized crime and corruption.
Anyone’s engagement to find solutions in the important topic of demarcation and other issues is more than welcome. Only open communication can be productive. However, assistance is provided only by acting, and not by perpetually prolonging discussions, thereby posing an obstacle to decisions, and even less by spreading public disinformation on the visa liberalisation criteria.
Demarcation is an issue of the institutions, in this case the Assembly, and thereby of all representatives and political parties. The debate has been exhausted and all have been done, and now is time for decisions. This issue has been on the table since 2015. Reopening discussions will only delay liberalisation and cause numerous obstacles in the integration process. What’s worse, it will endanger relations a neighbour that has done all that’s possible to accommodate our requests.
As far as fighting corruption and organized crime is concerned, there is no room to interpret what such criteria means.
Erroneous interpretations are harmful as they create confusion, and those who should be doing their job, not the Government and the Assembly in this case, are the independent justice institutions. The Government and the Assembly have fulfilled their obligations in this area – namely the legal framework, in compliance with European standards, has been created, and financial resources to the justice system have been provided. Simultaneously, we believe that the justice institutions have done a good job, which will be evaluated positively by the European Commission. Furthermore, the European Commission has been informed in details with regard to all developments in the fulfilment of such criteria, and this institution will say the last word.
Intertwining these two criteria of visa liberalisation, namely the demarcation and the fight against organized crime and corruption, is detrimental and not in Kosovo’s best interest. We have to fulfil these criteria without relating them to one-another in the public discourse, or posing the question of what will happen if one is fulfilled and the other not. Both criteria must be fulfilled. It’s that simple. We consider that the criterion of combating corruption and organized crime, for the purpose of visa liberalisation, has been fulfilled. Surely, we are aware that the fight against this phenomenon should be further intensified, as progress in this field is, first and foremost, in the interest of our citizens and then European Union’s citizens.
The way forward is clear. Ratification of demarcation should happen as soon as possible. This will open the path toward demolishing the walls of isolation for citizens of Kosovo. Any kind of delays in the ratification of the demarcation will further push Kosovo towards isolation, not only in terms of the European Union, but also on the international arena.
The option presented today by the Leader of “Levizja Vetvendosje”, Mr. Albin Kurti, in his public letter, is not an option at all, but rather a waste of time in conferences, symposiums, theoretical debates, at a time when citizens are expecting for resoluteness and responsibilities by the deputies of the Assembly of the republic of Kosovo – including those of the Levizja Vetvendosje.
Finally, the Ministry of European Integration, publicly calls on all deputies of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo to board the last train toward ensuring visa liberalisation for the citizens of Kosovo. Particularly, we invoke the deputies of Levizja Vetvendosje to join the political consensus of all political parties, with regard to a state and civic goal, which goes beyond narrow interest of any political party or individual.
Last modified: August 9, 2022
