Hoxhaj: We don’t agree with the Self Determination Movement

TCH: Mr. Minister, it has been four years since Kosovo declared its independence. How is the recognition process going, while five EU countries have not yet recognized Kosovo’s independence yet?

Hoxhaj: There has been a great progress with the increase of Kosovo’s recognition as an independent and sovereign country. Today it is a global phenomenon and its geography is global. It is very important for us that the five remaining EU countries recognize it. After the clear decision of the International Court of Justice, these countries have no legal argument to support that stance. The main cause for this countries to not recognize Kosovo’s independence has been their interior situation.

TCH: Do you have any signal that these countries will recognize Kosovo during 2012?

Hoxhaj: According to the contacts that we have had so far, this year there will be a positive movement in these states. Some of them have already declared that they support the progress in our country and the Kosovo EU integration. Some countries have had political doubts, since there are new governments, with new political compositions, and we are making maximal efforts for this to happen.

TCH: One of the ambitions of the Kosovo government is the signing of the Stabilization Association Movement. Do you believe that Kosovo will be able to reach the signing of this agreement?

Hoxhaj: This year, one of the main priorities of the government of Kosovo and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the signing of the Stabilization and Association Agreement. Only when the Republic of Kosovo will sign this agreement, our relation and EU integration agenda will take a genuine institutional shape. Hence, we will do the maximal efforts to sign this agreement during this year, together with the visa liberalization.

TCH: Let us continue with a hot topic in Kosovo, such as the Self-Determination. We have seen the official position of the Prime Minister and some of your Ministers for the Self-Determination Movement, with a relatively harsh language. Why this harshness against the Self-Determination Movement?

Hoxhaj: We don’t think that the communication with Serbia should happen on the streets. The time when the Kosovo citizens tried to resolve their political problems on the streets has gone. We think that what could happen is not democratic or constitutional. In any country of the world, the citizens are not the ones who decide the laws on the streets, but the legal institutions that derive from the people’s vote and the Kosovo Parliament.

TCH: But the protest is a democratic element, recognized throughout the world…

Hoxhaj: What I can say is that protests, a phenomenon of the expression of any opinion and thought, should happen within the legal frame and safety. This has not happened, and no one can deny this. No one can act against the Constitution, its laws and the state.

TCH: Is it true that the entire political factor in Kosovo is blocking the Self-Determination Movement?

Hoxhaj: All political parties in Kosovo have clearly declared that no one supports these decisions. There are no similar models in a democratic EU country, where the rule of law exists. The position of all political parties is very clear, including the position of the Government of Kosovo.

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