Mr Samuel Žbogar was appointed by the EU High Representative/EC Vice-President Catherine Ashton as the Head of the EU Office in Kosovo on 21 December 2011 and by the decision of the Council of the EU of 25 January 2012 as the European Union Special Representative in Kosovo...more |
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13.05.2011
The interviewer: Serbeze Haxhiu
Question: Mr. Gentilini, yesterday you had first meeting with Kosovo leaders as EUSR. What are your first impressions?
EUSR: I was very warmly welcomed yesterday by the Kosovo leadership and I am grateful to all of them. After a lengthy electorate process, there is now a willingness on all sides to work hard on the EU agenda, this is very positive. I explained to them that my mandate is to prepare for a strengthened, long term presence in Kosovo and I was happy to see that the President, Prime Minister, Speaker of Parliament and the Minister of European Integration were all in favor of a stronger EU. We will work together. I have the impression that we can do a lot of things together to implement the EU agenda and this is our common goal.
Question: Mr. Gentilini, how do you estimate so far the process of the dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade. Do you believe in any tangible results in the future? You have seen yesterday the reactions during the visit of Borko Stefanovic in Pristina…
EUSR: I was in Prishtina yesterday and I think that the visit of Mr. Stefanovic was a positive step as I said yesterday in a press conference with the Prime Minister. I think it was good that the two sides in the dialogue could meet in Pristina and talk directly on the issues that were already discussed in Brussels with EU facilitation. I think that this might be followed by further direct contacts between the two sides in Pristina and Belgrade and I think this would be a very good thing. I think the dialogue is the way to solve problems and I think that the two sides can find solutions which are good for all, particularly to improve the lives of the people. In regard to demonstrations, I think of course that everybody has the right to demonstrate peacefully, therefore I was sad to see yesterday what I saw and I regret that some people decided to use violence. Violence must always be condemned.
Question: Mr. Gentilini, let’s talk about another issue. Kosovo institutions tempt to be part of visa liberalization process. Is there any hope that Kosovo soon will be part of this process?
EUSR: This is a question that is raised with me by all the people I met. It was also raised yesterday in my discussion and I can see the expectations.
It is important to understand that Kosovo needs to fulfill certain criteria, particularly when it comes to the reintegration plans for returns. So, some more work is needed on this. I will try to be useful and to help and to give good advice, but Europe delivers when its partners deliver, so there is a lot of work to be done on this.
Question: Has Europe Union already a clear strategy or a plan how will your presence look like in Kosovo?
EUSR: I’m not sure I’ve heard you very well. If you are talking about EU presence, I said yesterday that my aim is to make a stronger presence, to work and prepare a long term EU presence, linking closely together all the institutions which are part of EU family.
06.05.2011
Catherine Ashton, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the Commission, welcomed today the Council decision to appoint Fernando Gentilini as European Union Special Representative in Kosovo until 31 July 2011:
"I am very pleased that the Council has, on the basis of my recommendation, appointed Fernando Gentilini as EU Special Representative in Kosovo.
Fernando Gentillini has an in-depth knowledge of the Western Balkans and of Kosovo in particular, and I look forward to working very closely with him.
In his temporary position, he will prepare for a strengthened and long-term EU presence in Kosovo, in line with the Lisbon Treaty and the European perspective of the whole region.
I would also like to warmly thank the outgoing Special Representative, Pieter Feith, for his dedication and excellent work throughout his mandate."
04.05.2011
The mandate of Pieter Feith as EU Special Representative in Kosovo ended on 30 April 2011. A decision on the appointment of a new EUSR in Kosovo for a short interim period is expected imminently. During this interim period, the EU will continue its discussions on the future organisation of the EU presence in Kosovo in light of the Lisbon Treaty. Pieter Feith is continuing his mandate as International Civilian Representative in Kosovo (www.ico-kos.org).
