Kosovo President Hashim Thaci declared in an interview for Top Channel
that he will try to convince Serbs to be part of the process for
creating the Kosovo Army, but no one can veto it.
Thaci trusts the reconciliation process with Serbia, and values that dialogue must have another dynamics, so that the issues are resolved as soon as possible.
Top Channel: Mr.President, you have started the process for creating the Kosovo Army. US Senator John McCain said you will have their support for this. Why does Kosovo need an army?
Hashim Thaçi: Kosovo is an independent and sovereign country. Every sovereign country has its own army, and our vision is to become NATO members. We can be no peace partnership or NATO without an army. We are working for an army that will serve to every Kosovo citizen, from all ethnic backgrounds, in order to preserve the integrity and sovereignty of Kosovo. We will work by including everyone, and in full coordination with the USA and NATO. No one can hamper this process indefinitely or veto it.
TCH: Do you have a date of when Serbs may give you an answer? How will you convince them?
Hashim Thaçi: By addressing the Parliament. We will not take the matter into the Parliamentary agenda for some time, so that that Kosovo Serbs can discuss it. We feel good about the process of integrating 68 Serbs into the Kosovo Security Forces. They feel good as well to serve their country and their citizens. The process is more dynamic now and we are trying to convince Serbs be part of the Parliamentary vote. But I must emphasize that the process for building the army is irreversible, and it will become reality in the months to come.
TCH: Can we say it will be within this year?
Hashim Thaçi: Definitely.
TCH: An important matter, mentioned by the EU and other actors, is the dialogue with Serbia. Will the dialogue go to a presidential level, now that Vucic won the elections?
Hashim Thaçi: The dialogue must be led by people who have mandate, responsibility and legitimacy. We have the resolution of the Kosovo Parliament to respect. Kosovo will answer to this dialogue, respecting the invitations of the EU, Mrs.Mogherini, and we will request the interest of the USA, so that the dialogue receives energy for a future of reconciliation.
TCH: Are you ready for a different format, a peace conference? What do you think about the solving of this problem?
Hashim Thaçi: I trust that active efforts could close the open matters between Kosovo and Serbia, as two independent countries. I will not favor endless processes that cause fatigue. We must sit and discuss with a clear agenda. That would be a very big political agreement for the normalization and reconciliation of the relations between kosovo and Serbia. I am sure that we can conclude things in three months, without dragging them around for three or five years.
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