Osmani: Suspension of visa liberalization would kill the dialogue forever

Kosovo's President Vjosa Osmani stated that the suspension of the decision on visa liberalization, which was set to take effect on January 1, would kill the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia forever, as reported by Ekonomia Online.

Commenting on French President Emmanuel Macron's statement that his country will reconsider commitments related to economic issues and visa policy for Kosovo and Serbia if they do not behave responsibly, Osmani noted that the suspension of visa liberalization would be a punishment for the citizens of Kosovo, not for politicians.

"This is a way to kill the dialogue forever. If someone wants to break the dialogue, then they take such measures, and those punitive measures are directed toward the people of Kosovo. They are not against leaders or politics but against the people of Kosovo. And such an unprecedented punishment will result in the death of the dialogue. No one has the mandate to go to Brussels when the people of Kosovo are being punished," Osmani said.

She added that Kosovo had reached an agreement with the European Union in July in Bratislava to de-escalate the situation in the north.

She reminded that the agreement envisioned a reduction of Kosovo Police presence in and around municipal buildings in the north, which, as she stated, was a step that Kosovo had taken, as well as the organization of elections, which she added were in progress.

According to her, the legal basis for holding elections in the north will be ready by September 1.

In line with this, Osmani expects the EU to lift punitive measures against Kosovo, which she described as unfair and disproportionate.

"The Bratislava agreement also envisions the quickest possible return of high-level dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia," Osmani concluded.