Haxhiu Appeals for International Support: Kosovo’s Progress Toward the EU Should Be Measured by the Criteria, Not Serbian Obstacles

Kosovo’s Acting President, Albulena Haxhiu, called for Kosovo’s progress toward EU membership to be assessed according to the required criteria rather than the obstacles posed by its neighboring state.

At the ninth edition of the Conference of Ambassadors of the Republic of Kosovo, being held in Pristina under the theme “Kosovo in a Changing World: Security, Partnership and Development,” Haxhiu called for justice over the terrorist attack in Banjska, clarification of the fate of missing persons, the opening of archives and an end to chauvinistic statements in relation to Serbia.

Haxhiu: Serbia Continues Its Hegemonistic Policy; Addressing These Issues Is Essential for Normalization

“Serbia must be held accountable for the bomb attack in Banjska, for the attacks against KFOR personnel, journalists and other citizens, and for handing over the chief terrorist Milan Radoičić and others involved in this terrorist attack, as well as for clarifying the fate of more than 1,500 people who were forcibly disappeared during the war in Kosovo. Addressing these issues is an essential part of any process aimed at the genuine and lasting normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia,” she emphasized.

She called on diplomats to maintain continuous communication with the institutions regarding the excavations being carried out in Subotand, Kalludra e Vogël and Jabuka.

“Our partners must know that even today, new evidence of war crimes is being found in Kosovo and that justice for the victims and their families is still awaiting answers. Therefore, pressure must be put on Serbia to open its archives,” she said.

Haxhiu also mentioned statements by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, who said that the course of the Iber River should be changed. She said such ideas, which revive chauvinistic and destabilizing approaches toward Kosovo, should receive appropriate international attention and a response.

“Serbia continues its hegemonistic policy toward Kosovo. Another serious concern that we must address with our international partners is Vučić’s recent statements about the possibility of changing the course of the Iber River. As you know, Iber-Lepenc and Ujman Lake are part of a system vital to the water supply, energy, agriculture and lives of hundreds of thousands of Kosovo citizens. Unilateral intervention in cross-border waterways would have consequences far beyond a technical issue, as it would affect the water, energy, environmental and human security of our Republic,” the acting president continued.

Haxhiu on Non-Recognizing Countries: If We Want a Change in Position, We Must Understand the Arguments

Haxhiu also spoke about Kosovo’s position internationally, highlighting the 121 recognitions by states. She also addressed the countries that continue not to recognize the country’s independence, saying that an analysis should be conducted into why this is the case.

“Non-recognition is not a single political category. Spain does not have the same history as Greece, Greece does not have the same interests as Slovakia, and none of them views Kosovo in the same way as a state in Latin America or Asia. If we want to change a position, we must first understand what concerns them, what interests they have and which argument may make sense to them,” she said.

She mentioned the finding of the International Court of Justice that Kosovo’s declaration of independence did not violate international law.

“We must use this argument, but naturally we will not rely on it alone. Eighteen years after independence, we have the opportunity to speak to the states that still do not recognize us about the Kosovo we have built and about what we can do together,” Haxhiu said.

Haxhiu: Kosovo’s Progress Should Depend on EU Criteria, Not Obstacles Posed by Another State

She mentioned Kosovo’s efforts to become part of the European Union, saying that the rules for membership should be the same for every country in the Western Balkans.

“Our Euro-Atlantic orientation is clear, but a rules-based order is credible only if the rules apply equally, including when their implementation is politically difficult. If the Western Balkan countries are invited to meet the integration criteria, then progress should depend on those criteria and not on obstacles that a country cannot resolve through its own reforms. This must be part of our argument in every European capital,” she said.