Albanian Daily News had an interview with the Ambassador of Kosovo to Albania Skender Durmishi and asked him among others about the progress of the relations of Tirana and Pristina. “Relations between Kosovo and Albania are very good. In the inter-institutional plan, visits and meetings are regular and active. Over 200 interstate agreements cover all the most important areas. They constitute the solid legal basis for the realization of the orientations and cooperation plans in the economy, health, culture, education, in the field of defense and police cooperation, etc. Parliamentary cooperation is a success story,” he said.

Touching upon the situation in Kosovo the conversation focused on the Serb community in the north of the country. “The Serbian community, both in the northern part and everywhere else in Kosovo, are citizens of the Republic of Kosovo. They are treated and respected like everyone else, even more than that.”

Speaking of the relations of Kosovo with regional countries, Mr. Durmishi said Kosovo's relations with the countries of the region are at a very good level. In addition, he said that unfortunately, Serbia cannot be included with this category even though all the conditions are for normalization and cooperation with that country as well. The Ambassador said that the relationships with the US and EU are strategic, and according to him, they are an expression of an eternal friendship, built on trust and values.

Regarding the recognition of Kosovo by countries which have not done so he was optimistic that they will change their approach and join the majority of countries which have recognized Pristina. “Kosovo deserves more recognition, because it is building a modern state, with a constitution and democratic institutions, applies advanced democratic standards, respect and implementation of freedoms and human rights, religious freedoms, offers the best solution for minority communities,” said Kosovo Ambassador Durmishi in the following interview:    

- First of all, thank you for this conversation, Mr. Ambassador, and on this occasion please, which is your assessment of the relations between Albania and Kosovo and secondly their perspective?

- Relations between Kosovo and Albania are very good. In the inter-institutional plan, visits and meetings are regular and active. Over 200 interstate agreements cover all the most important areas. They constitute the solid legal basis for the realization of the orientations and cooperation plans in the economy, health, culture, education, in the field of defense and police cooperation, etc. Parliamentary cooperation is a success story. So, there are no barriers to cooperation. Citizens move freely, not only to the beaches but also for other reasons, business, family matters, etc. For those who want residence for work, the procedures for residence permit have been simplified to a minimum like facilitation for studies etc. As for the circulation of goods, there are no more bureaucratic customs barriers at the border. Customs clearance for goods destined for the Kosovo market are made at the port, where we have opened our customs offices. The project for the Durres-Pristina railway is already in process, and a dry port will also be built as part of the project.

In culture, we are making final preparations to launch the joint week of culture for the third time. There are concerts and theater performances almost every day.

We also have good cooperation in education. In addition to the unique primer, those responsible for education are working on other projects where I would highlight some publications with unique content for the diaspora. I mentioned here only some facts and segments of cooperation. It is about intergovernmental cooperation. But parallel to this there is also a reality missing in the past of cooperation between businesses, individuals, citizens that completes the intergovernmental part. At the same time, they are slowly overcoming the differences and shortening the distances that existed for known reasons.

I spoke here about the legal conditions and facilitations of cooperation. There are also visible results. But they are still not what we aim for. Experts are assuring us that there are even more possibilities. The challenge now remains for more volume of production in both countries, for more quality cooperation in culture, arts, complementary economy, etc. But, in short, current practices and results constitute a basis for optimism.

- Your Excellency, as a follow up, what could you tell ADN's readers about the relationship between Kosovo and regional countries like Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia and others?

- Kosovo's relations with the countries of the neighborhood, i.e. with the countries of the region, are at a very good level. The region and good neighborliness are among the priorities of our foreign policy and of the state of Kosovo. Unfortunately, Serbia cannot be included with this category even though all the conditions are for normalization and cooperation with that country as well. The Republic of Kosovo has shown readiness, and even today it is ready according to the principle that we do not choose our neighbors, but we must be ready and be smart and rational for cooperation and good neighborliness, as a mutual interest and as an interest of the region, peace and stability.

We have also shown readiness and interest for good cooperation relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina. The majority in that country are in favor of cooperation. We expect that even those opposing voices appreciate the priority and advantages of good relations.

With other countries such as Croatia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, we have established and are already building very, very good relations, friendly relations in the full sense of the word. Our embassies in these countries are doing the right work, good work, to implement in practice the objectives and priority of cooperation. We have good relations, as well as diplomatic, economic and solid relationships in culture and other fields. We have their support for the consolidation of the international position of the state of Kosovo. We are partners and allies with these countries for every initiative and regional project that has as its leitmotif peace, security and stability of the region and beyond.

Our compatriots in these countries also have great merits for these good relations. I am happy that I myself have made a modest but sincere contribution to the cooperation with two of these neighboring countries, North Macedonia and Montenegro, where I served as an ambassador.

- Let's turn on the internal matters of Kosovo and concretely Mr. Ambassador on those regarding North of the country and the Serb community in face of the constructive measures taken by the government in a sovereign country?

-The Serbian community, both in the northern part and everywhere else in Kosovo, are citizens of the Republic of Kosovo. They are treated and respected like everyone else, even more than that. The way they are treated by the authorities is a clear example of positive approach and this fact is accepted normally, without reactions.

As far as I can follow the developments from here, I am noticing a more reasonable approach to the measures being taken by the state authority.

The Government of Kosovo is their government, and the budget of Kosovo is also their budget. It is a pity that so much time was lost to understand that the institutions, such as the municipalities, the Kosovo police, etc., should not be abandoned.

They must trust themselves (not outsiders) and trust the institutions of Kosovo, part of which they are.

There is nothing that should be viewed with suspicion in the actions of the Government of Kosovo. On the contrary, they are actions that ease the life of Serbs living in the northern part of Kosovo. There is more order, more security, more calm, creation of conditions and release of energies for development and prosperity.

- In an interview with Albanian Daily News some time ago the well-known professor, an expert on the Balkans, Florian Bieber said it was hard to predict how the conflict between Kosovo and Serbia would be resolved. Mr. Ambassador, what do you think of the perspective of overcoming the deadlock in the relationship between Pristina and Belgrade?

- I believe part of the answer is in the answer to the previous question. The rest is in the Constitution and other legal acts of the Republic of Kosovo.

The creators and drafters of the Constitution have thought of everything. The modality and compromises offered create enough room for solutions, for everyone who really wants solutions.

Where there is a will, there is a solution. Kosovo has shown this will since the Ahtisaari Plan and with many painful compromises.

- Your Excellency, much is spoken on the links between Kosovo and strategic allies US and EU. How would you assess the cooperation with them and the importance of the intensive exchange of visits like the latest one, that of the top chief of CIA to Pristina?

- Kosovo's ties with the USA are strategic and they are an expression of an eternal friendship, built on trust and values. Our cooperation is and should be in this spirit, at all times: Cooperation for development, cooperation for security and stability, cooperation for good governance and continuous strengthening of the democratic performance of Kosovo's institutions; Cooperation and support for new recognition and consolidation of Kosovo's international recognition.

-Kosovo's diplomatic activity is very vivid and, in this framework, how is the issue of the recognition of the country by those countries which have not done so.

- Activity and engagement for new acquaintances is part of Kosovo's diplomacy agenda. Recognition in our case, as you and your colleagues know, is a process.

Kosovo deserves more recognition, because it is building a modern state, with a constitution and democratic institutions, applying advanced democratic standards, respect and implementation of freedoms and human rights, religious freedoms, and offers the best solution for minority communities.

So, we need more recognition to complete the membership process in the UN and in all international organizations.

But this does not diminish the importance of the recognitions we have. We appreciate it very much and say with pride that we have been recognized by the most democratic and powerful countries in the world, economically and militarily. We have established cooperation, even friendly relations with them.

But we want to further expand the circle of countries that recognize Kosovo.

It is the duty of Kosovo's diplomacy to explain these realities and democratic standards, which are not propaganda issues but constitutional guarantees.

What belongs to us as diplomats of Kosovo and many friends is to be even more active and persuasive towards those countries that are still hesitant about the possibility of recognition.

But we want to further expand the circle of the countries that recognize Kosovo. I am optimistic that they will even recognize Kosovo. / ADN