In an interview with the BBC in Serbian, Kosovo President, Hashim Thaci, said that unless we will see something new in relation with Serbia this year he fears that both countries will lose decades for normalizing relations between them.

“If something happens in the negotiations with Serbia, it will happen this year. If it doesn’t happen this year, I’m afraid we will lose decades,” Thaci says.

Although other negotiators say no pressure and haste is needed Thaci says that the final year of President Donald Trump’s first term is the best period for reaching an agreement in the Balkans.

“I don’t think we can get again attention of President Trump, of the U.S. and of his team. Turn of the U.S. attention into our region represents a gift from God, to both Kosovo and Serbia – and we must use it,” President said, while stressing that both sides are close to reaching an agreement with Serbia, yet both sides are quite far from that.

“We have never been closer to an agreement, as many other processes are now over – Kosovo is free and independent, and Serbia knows that Kosovo is independent. At the same time, we are very far away – it will depend a lot on the leaders of two countries, whether they will invest in the future or will remain hostages to the past,” he added further.

Thaci was also asked about relations with Serbian President, Aleksandar Vucic, and on meeting him at diverse international forums.

“I have no special, personal relationship with President Vucic. “We are the presidents of independent states, elected in a legitimate way, and I promote my country’s views in every forum and in front of all officials, including the President of Serbia. We have had differences in the past and they still exist today, but that should not stop us to talk as the two presidents in the future,” he said.

In the future, Thaçi believes that neither Kosovo nor Serbia can count on membership in the European Union without a final agreement.

“If we waste this opportunity, we will cry at the gates of Brussels, but it will not worry or interest anyone,” President Thaci clarified.

Asked if he will run for a new term, Thaci gave no definitive answer.

“It will depend on the circumstances”, he concluded.