Rohde: We want Kosovo in the EU and NATO, but for that Pristina must also take some steps

German Ambassador to Kosovo Jörn Rohde stated in an interview with Radio Dukagjini that Germany and Europe want to see Kosovo in the European Union, as a member of NATO and the Council of Europe, but for that, Kosovo must also take some steps.

"I think that good things give dynamics to a certain process. If one side takes the first step, it sets as a condition that the other side also takes action and reacts on its part. But, there is still a lack of goodwill on both sides. Counting is not an option and I want to emphasize that Germany and Europe want Kosovo to integrate into the EU, it is important for us that Kosovo becomes a member of NATO and the Council of Europe, but for that, Kosovo must also take some steps. The fact that these steps can be unilateral does not necessarily have to be bad," Rohde said.

He stated that it is never wrong to do good things that give a certain dynamics to the process.

In this regard, he recalled that it took Kosovo eight years to implement the obligation it assumed regarding the land of the Visoki Decani monastery.

"It has been more than eight years since Kosovo assumed the obligation to establish a Union of Municipalities with a Serb majority, it should take a step towards that," said Rohde.

According to him, Prime Minister Albin Kurti set a good example with the unilateral decision to enable the free movement of citizens from Bosnia and Herzegovina to Kosovo, although Kosovo citizens cannot do so due to, as he said, the opposition of Milorad Dodik.

"However, this was a good move, because with this Kurti showed that he is doing things for the benefit of the citizens," said Rohde.

He stated that the security situation is "at a level", but that it is fragile in northern Kosovo.

He also said that everything should be resolved within the framework of dialogue.