Shkendije Géci Sherifi serves as Kosovo's ambassador to Hungary.
She was speaking to EurActiv Hungary's Szilvia Kalmár.
To read a shortened version of this interview, please click here.
Your Excellency, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled yesterday (22 July) in favour of the independence of Kosovo. Do you expect the conflict between your country and Serbia to be resolved now?
I truly hope that the ICJ decision will lead towards resolution of the conflict and normalisation of relationships between Serbia and Kosovo. Kosovo has always been more open and flexible towards many options in comparison to Serbia, which is very rigid in this regard and has constantly contributed to the stalemate.
This decision proved that Kosovo did not breach international law and had the legitimate right to become a state. As such, now we will seek a sustainable solution in terms of having good neighbouring relations with Serbia.
Serbia's government chose not to recognise the non-binding ruling of the ICJ. Knowing this, what kind of compromise can you imagine between Belgrade and Pristina in the long term?
We will certainly not force them to accept Kosovo as an independent state, but there are issues that need to be resolved with Serbia on the technical level, starting from very basic ones such as free travel for our citizens through Serbia, acceptance of documents and implementation of blocked trade agreements, towards very sensitive ones such as the problem of missing persons and many, many others.
If you consider above all our geographic relations, we are just attached to one another: I think there is no other way than having normal relationships as two independent states. If that is the case, by omitting the political dialogue and just leading a conversation on practical issues, that would certainly improve the lives of the citizens of both Kosovo and Serbia.
Kosovo is an independent state and this matter is concluded, the ICJ's decision just reaffirmed that once again. Therefore resolving issues of importance to citizens' lives can be a more constructive approach and could lead towards regional cooperation and stability.
Until 2008, the ethnic Albanians of Kosovo were a minority in Serbia. Now Kosovo has a Serbian minority. What will Kosovo do to protect these citizens' minority rights?
Our constitution is entirely based on the Ahtisaari plan and that grants minorities – particularly Serbs – a high level of protection. Our legislation is one of the most advanced in terms of human rights protection. And the most important [thing] is that not only the government but also the citizens are committed to complying with it.
Kosovo is now looking towards the future. Conflicts belong to the past.
There is a great guarantee that the minorities are protected in all aspects of life. Furthermore, there is the international presence, the International Civilian Office that works in partnership with the government of Kosovo to make sure that the provisions in our constitution, namely the Ahtisaari plan, are implemented in the proper way.
What do you expect on the international level now? Will Kosovo have an easier way into the UN and the EU, or do you think that those countries (with some EU member states among them) that do not recognise Kosovo will try to hinder your accession?
Our ultimate goal is European integration. The process itself is also very important for Kosovo, as through the process of adjusting ourselves to the EU accession criteria, we develop our country in many aspects.
The ICJ decision will open a new path for Kosovo. Many states who were reluctant to recognise Kosovo because they were thinking that our independence is in contradiction with international law can now rethink their position.
Also, UN membership is important to us. Once we gain an increased number of recognitions, we hope to become a member of UN. If the majority of the nations holding a seat in the General Assembly of the UN recognise Kosovo as an independent state, then arguably the resistance of the Security Council would no longer matter.
The General Assembly has certain authority to reach decisions by a simple majority vote, which could lead to a tantamount recognition of the independence of Kosovo without qualifications. In essence, this could be said to 'set aside' the eventual objections of the Security Council.
Today we are recognised by 69 states and now, after the ICJ ruling, we expect a new wave of recognitions.
I think this will certainly improve our position at the international level, because now an international body has proven that Kosovo had the right to become a state, the independence did not violate either international law or UNSC 1244.
In the meantime, Kosovo is doing its best to prove that it will create a sustainable environment, and will continue to give stability to the region and promote good neighbourly relations.
There are five EU member states that do not accept your independence. Does Kosovo now search for diplomatic ways to convince them to change their minds, or do you expect Brussels to do so?
The answer is 'yes', to both of your questions. Certainly, the five countries that did not recognise Kosovo may create potential problems in our EU integration, given that the EU is a consensus-based organisation. But on the other hand, we truly expect that the EU will take a more firm and united foreign policy in this regard, because in general if accession is denied to any of the Western Balkan countries, that will create tremendous problems. Of course, each and every country should fulfil the criteria at its own pace and dynamism.
On the other hand, diplomatic steps will be taken as well. We are making lots of efforts to 'convince' these states that Kosovo does not set a precedent. It is a sui generis case, with very specific historical and political circumstances. Those member countries that haven't recognised us so far have internal problems, thus they think recognition of Kosovo can reflect negatively in their inner political realm. We will tell them that this is not the case and the ICJ ruling has proven that further.
Therefore, we work on both fronts and we seek the support of Brussels while working hard to prove to the world that Kosovo is a sustainable and a prosperous state.
Many people say that the ICJ decision will open the way for separatist movements around the world. Some experts even say that without this decision Kosovo's independence had a great influence and mention the example of the Georgia war. If there is a similar example of a minority group or territory proclaiming independence, would Kosovo support it?
I don't think we can draw parallel lines with Kosovo and Georgia. Our proclamation of independence was immediately followed by the recognition of the US and the majority of the EU's most powerful states. That explains enough. For us it was important to prove that our step was not against international law.
Everyone who has a little bit of knowledge of the issue knows that the Kosovo case had specific historical and political circumstances. Of course, we would not support separatist movements, because we are also in line with international law. I am 100% sure that Kosovo will not create a precedent.
Kosovo did not start to build its state in 2008, when it became independent, but earlier, after the NATO intervention. There are still several different international missions and forces in Kosovo. When do you expect your country to be functioning without the help of international missions?
I think there are a number of factors that determine this question. First of all, we need a viable economy, that is the key issue.
There are still challenges ahead: we need to have strong rule of law over the entire territory of Kosovo – in the northern part of the country in particular. We need to have a border regime in that part so that it will prevent organised crime, and we need to fight the corruption.
Once these conditions are met, the international community will easily withdraw.
You said economic development would be the key issue for Kosovo. What are your country's main economic strengths?
Our main strength is our young population. It is incredibly remarkable how rapidly they are getting educated. European states and the US help us with different student exchange and scholarship programmes. Lots of our youngsters are getting education through these programmes and once they come back to work in Kosovo and utilise knowledge gained abroad, this will contribute enormously to our development.
There are also business opportunities such as mining and energy, the metal processing industry, the decorative stone industry and tourism potential. Kosovo has a beautiful landscape with an unexplored and very rich archaeological treasure, so I believe we could work towards tourism, but first of all we need to improve our image as a young state.
We have to let people overcome their stereotypes and prejudice. And above all, we have to prove that Kosovo is a secure environment for foreign investors.
You said that the young population is becoming well educated rapidly, but as far as I know these people are almost all hired by the public administration, while businesses lack professionals.
In a very short time, Kosovo will be a very attractive place for investors. I do not have the appropriate data now, but I know that there are a lot of talented youngsters in the business sector.
Having been part of the academic world, I can confirm that business-related studies are very popular among Kosovar students. Maybe we should just utilise these youngsters and direct them toward the economic sector.
But first of all, new businesses should be created and they should create jobs. This is why we are very open to foreign investment.
But there are also several structural problems. What are the most important reforms your country needs to take to make Kosovo a prosperous country of the Balkans?
Lots of reforms are in process. We mentioned public administration, for example, we are in the process of implementing e-administration. I must say that this and many other projects are very advanced projects.
We are working very hard to fulfil EU standards by creating an EU-compatible legal infrastructure. Focus should be given to the implementation of these laws, but as part of this process we are lucky to have the support of the EU Commission and other relevant international agencies.
