Kryeziu-Hyseni: We are not against Kosovo’s membership in the Board of Peace; Hoxhaj: End this circus

MP of the Democratic Party of Kosovo Enver Hoxhaj criticized the ruling party in parliament over its approach to the Agreement on Kosovo’s membership in the Board of Peace, stating that what is signed abroad must also be implemented, to which Self-Determination MP Arbereshe Kryeziu-Hyseni responded that they are not against membership in the initiative, but that the agreement must be aligned with Kosovo’s laws.

Last week, the parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs blocked the adoption of the Draft Law on the ratification of the Agreement on Kosovo’s membership in the Board of Peace, as MPs failed to agree on paragraph 2 of Article 2 of the agreement, which concerns the main objective of the Board of Peace. It was decided to form a Working Group to amend it.

However, Hoxhaj expressed concern over this at the latest parliamentary session.

He said that “states must be serious about what they say and agree abroad and implement it at home,” Kosovo Press reported.

According to him, the way former president Vjosa Osmani supported the initiative in Davos, without raising the issue with the Government of Kosovo, was a violation of the law.

“But I am more concerned that now the parliamentary majority is trying to commit another violation of the law in order to change the agreement on the Board of Peace. Foreign policy is not a platform for fulfilling wishes, nor a place where someone’s ego collides. It is a process in which states must be serious about what they say abroad and implement at home... We cannot sign one thing abroad and maintain a completely different position at home. Let us end this political circus,” Hoxhaj said.

Self-Determination MP Arbëreshe Kryeziu-Hyseni responded, saying that the ruling majority is not against membership in the Board of Peace, but that the idea is to align the agreement with Kosovo’s legislation.

She noted that so far only Albania has approved such an agreement.

“In principle, no one is against it, I mean all political subjects represented in parliament. The agreement was mutual to form a Working Group, in which you, Mr. Hoxhaj, were proposed as a representative of the opposition parties. I am glad, because I believe you will provide expert input for the proper drafting of this Draft Law. So far only Albania has ratified this agreement and no one else, as the idea is to align the law with the jurisdictions of member states. There is no reason for concern, and even less to create the impression that we oppose it. We are not against it, but we are interested in ensuring that the Draft Law is aligned and properly regulated,” Kryeziu-Hyseni said.

A few days ago, professor of international law Enver Hasani also explained that parliament can amend its own laws, but not international obligations, stating that the behavior of Self-Determination MPs in the parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs was completely immature.

“This is complete immaturity. MPs should consult the legal department in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, if they do not know, and they will show them international standards on when and how an agreement signed by the head of state, head of government, or foreign minister can be amended, but which has not gone through the ratification procedure in parliament. Parliament can unilaterally amend its own laws, but not Kosovo’s international obligations,” Hasani said.

He also explained that the Agreement on membership in the Board of Peace has the status of a treaty or international agreement under Kosovo’s Constitution and that unilateral changes to its content have no legal effect for the other party, unless there is an agreement between the parties or unless the other party subsequently accepts such changes to the basic treaty or agreement.

US President Donald Trump launched the Board of Peace initiative, which was formalized with the signing of the Statute on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos in January this year.

Among the first signatories was then Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani.