Kosova & Europe

KOSOVO’S FUTURE TOWARD EUROPEAN PERSPECTIVE

Torbjorn Sohlstrom, the Personal Representative of HR Javier Solana in Pristina, and the Head of the International Civil Office in an interview for Kosovanews talks about the new mission of EU in Kosovo, challenges of 120 days of transition and about the EU and Kosovo people top priorities on the road to the European Union.

Mr. Solstrom how is going on the plan of establishing a new International Civil Office?

Sohlstrom: Our preparations are going very well, thanks to our close cooperation with the political and community leaders in Kosovo, and the full support of the European Union. We have come a long way in the past months to prepare for the transition of responsibilities from UNMIK to the Kosovo authorities. After a Security Council Resolution, we would enlarge our office to its full size so we can fulfill our mandate.

What will be the primary task of new civil mission?

Sohlstrom: While Kosovo will be responsible to manage its own affairs, the comprehensive settlement proposal foresees the main task of an International Civilian Office to be monitoring and overseeing the implementation of a status settlement. This would also mean that an ICO supports the relevant efforts of Kosovo’s authorities in their efforts to comply with the provisions regarding the constitution, decentralization, community rights, cultural heritage, security, and so on.

What kind of relation will an ICO have with other institution in Kosovo?

Sohlstrom: Our key partner will remain the Kosovo authorities and representatives from all communities. I hardly remember a day in the past months where I have not met with Kosovo’s politicians and community leaders. These daily consultations are the core of my and my team’s work, and we even envisage this to intensify. The international community will no longer run Kosovo after status. Rather, we are prepared to help Kosovo run itself and to provide certain guarantees. In the context of European integration, new instruments will be available to assist Kosovo’s institutions – economically, technically, and politically. And yet, the largest responsibilities to provide all citizens with equal chances will be with Kosovo’s elected leaders and community representatives. The tasks they face in the upcoming months are more difficult than anything they have done before.

What role will have the future international presence in Kosovo?

Sohlstrom: Following a UN Security Council Resolution based on the proposal by President Ahtisaari , there would be three EU actors in Kosovo. All would have the same goal for Kosovo, ultimately: helping Kosovo move towards the European Union. A future International Civilian Office, with the EU in a leading role, would be prepared to oversee the implementation of a status settlement. A more operational EU mission would help foster the rule of law in Kosovo with assistance in the police, the judicial system, customs, and border issues. The third effort is in the hands of the European Commission, which would provide technical and financial support. It has allocated about 200 million euros for Kosovo from 2007 to 2009 in its pre-accession program– more per capita than anywhere else!

Approximately, how long will last the mandate of new mission of EU in Kosovo?

Sohlstrom: It depends on the pace of progress. The monitoring and supervision by the international community would be there until a settlement is implemented. The assistance, however, we hope to continue until Kosovo meets the criteria for EU membership.

Mr. Solstrom what will be the new role mission during the first 120 days of transition, what are the challenges during this period?

Sohlstrom: In the event of a UN Security Council resolution, we would be prepared to build an International Civilian Office during 120 days of transition. The ICO would be fully operational once UNMIK’s mandate would end. During this time, the top priority would be transferring tasks from UNMIK to the local institutions. Jointly, we have already been preparing for this monumental process in a number of working groups. During the 120 days, we would expect the assembly and the government to pass a constitution, laws on elections, a long list of other laws, to assume a lot of additional competencies, and to prepare for the implementation of the settlement. Standards implementation will continue to be essential across the board. In essence, it will be Kosovo’s Team of Unity, the assembly members, and community representatives, who will face the largest challenge of all. They need to use the 120 days to assume the responsibilities for Kosovo and its people.

Regarding to latest reports, following a UN Security Council Resolution, the new mission of EU would be focused more in economy development, police control and judicial development. Which of these aspects will more priority?

Sohlstrom: All three aspects are a top priority for the people in Kosovo on the road to the European Union, and these three aspects will also be top priorities for EU assistance.


What will be the role of national institutions in these aspects? Will they have an observer role or they are going to be also co responsible?

Sohlstrom: Kosovo’s institutions will not be observers, nor will they be co-responsible. Rather, they are in charge. If you compare Kosovo to a football team, the international community has so far been the owner of the team. In the future, we hope to move more in the direction of being the trainer. We prepare to help Kosovo’s institutions, because they are still young.

The EU commitment in these aspects means that UNMIK and Provisional Institutions of Kosovo Self-Government during these years have failed in these aspects?

Sohlstrom: I prefer to look towards the future, and that is where I see Kosovo’s European perspective. All EU governments affirmed this perspective in their 2003 Thessaloniki summit, and Kosovo is firmly anchored in the EU’s Stabilization and Association Process. But this reform road to Europe – with all the political, social, and economic benefits – requires an environment of trust and therefore, the rule of law. All citizens need to be sure, and be reassured, that the law is not only there on paper, but that it is followed by their leaders and their neighbors.
(Journalists;Fazli Rrezja & Fisnik Musa)