H.E. Sabri Kiçmari
Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo

Q1: On the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Japan and Kosovo, the Western Balkans Cooperation Initiative, announced by Prime Minister Abe in 2018, aims to contribute to peace and stability in Kosovo and the region by supporting regional reconciliation and socio-economic reforms. What do you think of the current state of play between Japan and Kosovo, including the implementation of this initiative? What are the areas in which our two countries should cooperate further in the face of global uncertainties?

Ambassador Kiçmari: The initiative of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the Western Balkans Cooperation Initiative, has resulted in concrete actions that have had a positive impact on peace and stability in Kosovo and the region. As a result of this initiative, the ambassador in charge of the West Balkan countries has been appointed to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In 2020, Japan opened its Embassy in Kosovo, and last year an bilateral agreement was signed to abolish visas for diplomatic and official passports. On the political level, cooperation between the two countries is intense and substantive. Thus, in September 2022, Prime Minister Kurti visited Japan to participate in the State Funeral for former Prime Minister ABE Shinzo, in 2023, political consultations were held between the two ministries, and in 2024 in the framework of marking the 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, there were mutual visits at the level of foreign ministers: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Donika Gërvalla Schwarz visited Japan in May 2024, while Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa visited Kosovo in July 2024, which was the first visit by a Japanese foreign minister to independent Kosovo.
Our two countries have identical positions on a number of international issues and represent identical political values. Kosovo considers Japan one of its closest friends in Asia. Kosovo is proud to support Japan’s vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, and we aspire to be Japan’s most trusted partner in Southeast Europe.

Q2: The Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025 in Japan could be an excellent opportunity to connect Japanese economy with Kosovo. Would you explain what Kosovo could offer to Japanese industries and Japanese consumers ?

Ambassador Kiçmari: Kosovo presents a promising landscape for Japanese investors and entrepreneurs interested in investing in the rapidly developing region of Southeastern Europe. Its geographical position, favorable business climate and young and well-educated workforce make it an attractive destination for Japanese companies. Kosovo’s ICT sector and economic progress offer promising opportunities for cooperation. From infrastructure projects such as the Pristina-Durrës highway to technology ventures, there is great potential. Here is a concrete example of success: Kosovo is now home to the largest shiitake mushroom factory in Europe, founded by a Japanese company. We hope that this will be one of many examples of successful investments.

Q3.What role does Judo play in cultural exchanges between Japan and Kosovo?

Ambassador Kiçmari: Judo has not been a popular sport in the past. However, in the last 20 years it has become one of the most popular sports in Kosovo. This is the result of the success of the national judo team, which has won five medals in the last three Olympics, namely two gold medals in Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Our judo team often visits Japan and does its exercises here. Japanese MOFA has recognized the Kosovo national team as a team that has influenced the promotion of one of the traditional Japanese sports.

Q4.An agreement to normalize economic relations between Kosovo and Serbia was signed under the mediation of President Donald Trump in 2020. What is the current situation?

Ambassador Kiçmari: The agreement signed in 2020 was more of an economic nature, for the normalization of economic relations between Kosovo and Serbia. It was followed by another agreement on February 27, 2023, negotiated by the EU, for the normalization of relations between the two states based on the principle of mutual recognition of national documents and symbols, including passports, diplomas, vehicle license plates and customs stamps. It also agreed that Serbia would not oppose Kosovo’s membership in any international organization. On March 18, 2023, Prime Minister Kurti and Serbian President Vucic met in Ohrid, North Macedonia, and verbally agreed to implement the agreement. However, its implementation has been very slow.

Q5. Has there been any change in US involvement in the case under the second Trump Administration?

Ambassador Kiçmari: A few weeks after taking office, President Trump sent a congratulatory letter to President Osmani on the 17th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Kosovo. He emphasized the strong support of the United States for Kosovo looking forward to expanding them, particularly through increased investment opportunities, to bring greater prosperity to both our nations. President Trump also underscored the importance of Kosovo’s further integration into the Euro-Atlantic community and praised Kosovo’s unwavering support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.

Q6: I hear that Kosovo has recovered from the devastation of the Kosovo conflict and now exports its own wine. Do you think that the steady economic development of the country is also beneficial in moving forward with peace and reconciliation in the region? Do you think Kosovo’s export has been affected by President Trump’s tariffs?

Ambassador Kiçmari: The destruction in Kosovo was extensive during the Kosovo war of 1998-1999. About 50% of the houses, in some areas such as Drenica, Rahovec and Malisheva up to 90%, were destroyed by bombing. 70% of the bridges and 60% of the schools were also destroyed. About 900,000 refugees were displaced to Albania, North Macedonia and Montenegro as well as to many European countries. Almost all the refugees returned within two weeks in June 1999. Mrs. Sadako Ogata, High Commissioner for Refugees, played a leading role in the rapid return of the refugees and their humanitarian support. By 2004, the process of reconstruction of the country was completed: houses, schools and bridges were rebuilt. Many countries assisted in the reconstruction process, including Japan with a number of JICA projects, such as assistance to Radio Television of Kosovo, Solid Vast Managements Initiatives, Disaster Risk Reduction and Environmental Conservation, Air Pollution Control, support for Kosovo hospitals and schools.

The Trump administration has imposed a 10% tariff on exports from Kosovo to the United States.

Q7: The UN SG Guterres said that the UN Security Council is dysfunctional. How important is it for the region to have the US remain committed to the UN ? And what do you think UN member states should do to achieve this?

Ambassador Kiçmari: The Russian invasion of Ukraine proves that perpetual peace according to the Kantian model is hindered by the veto right. The UN Security Council was prevented from taking any kind of step, due to the fact that Russia uses its veto right against any initiative. So, the brutal violation of the UN Charter cannot be punished because of its veto right. This makes it necessary to review and reform the UN, in the direction of democratizing the decision-making processes and respecting the new phase in international relations, created after the end of the Cold War. There should be more democratic representation of states with permanent status (at least one state from Africa, and from Australia). Japan and Germany as two of the four most powerful economic states in the world and continuous supporters of UN programs, should be granted permanent membership. Additionally, India, with the world’s largest population, merits permanent status within the Security Council.

Q8. As I understand that your life has had a challenging path throughout teenage years, going to Germany to study under domestic conflicts and oppression, what are your views on the future direction of European migration and refugee policy?

Ambassador Kiçmari: My life is similar to most of my peers. Due to political developments during the process of the dissolution of Yugoslavia, many of us were forced to flee the country as refugees. After moving to Germany in 1989, I decided to study philosophy, political science and sociology. At the same time, I was committed to helping my country, which was on the brink of war. After the war ended, I returned to Kosovo as a professor at the University of Prishtina. But, six months after the Declaration of the Independence of the Republic of Kosovo, I was honored to be nominated as the first ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo to Austria. So, my professional path was connected to the profession of diplomat as the first ambassador of Kosovo to Austria (2008-2013) and Australia (2013-2018) and from January 2022 as ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo to Japan.
Europe must address the refugee issue in the context of its interests, respecting international law. Refugees are not only a burden, they often also bring values with them. They affect social and cultural diversity. Europe must be prepared to coexist and accept the fact that in the age of globalization, the movement of people from country to country and from region to region is impossible to prevent. Opportunities must be created from this movement and it should not be seen only as an obstacle.

Q9.You　wrote a book entitled ‘History Continues:　Three Models of the Continuation of History’, please explain its contents.

Ambassador Kiçmari: My book is dealing with the Francis Fukuyama’s idea of “The End of History.” Fukuyama proclaims the ideological victory of liberal democracy and the free market system over monarchy, fascism, and Communism. Fukuyama’s thesis about “the end of history” is controversial. The phrase that Fukuyama has chosen for his book is not adequate. History is not an ideology. History cannot be ended, if by history we mean the past, which we remember and interpret for the purpose of orientating ourselves in the present and the future. Fukuyama has a right to declare the victory of liberal democracy, but other ideological variations have not become extinct. In the People’s Republic of China, the market economy system has been embraced, but not liberal democracy. In Russia authoritarianism has returned to its hegemonic nationalist version, which is trying to challenge the values of liberal democracy. The democratic changes that started at the beginning of this century in North Africa and the Middle East have slipped in the direction of the rise of Islamic fundamentalism of Iran’s model in its most extreme variant. If we look at the thesis of the “end of history” from a scientific point of view, then we can conclude that such a thing is impossible. After the “end of history”, history continues. Therefore, there is no real end of history. History has not ended: it is continuing thirty years after Fukuyama’s thesis was published.

Q10. So, you argue that the history of ideological struggle continues even after the end of the cold war. Today people are seriously concerned with the future of liberal democracy. In Kosovo’s own experiences over the past 30 years what is needed for preservation and even progress of liberal democracy?

Ambassador Kiçmari: After the war in 1999, Kosovo made two radical transformations: changing the state system from that of an occupied country to a free and democratic country and transforming the economic system from the socialist economy inherited from the time of Yugoslavia to a market economic system. In this context, Kosovo has been lucky: it has benefited greatly from the presence of the UN, NATO, EU, but also from investments by specific countries such as Japan, Switzerland, Canada, Australia, for the successful completion of the reconstruction of the country, the establishment of a liberal-democratic system and a free market economy. In some countries today, there are open manifestations of ultranationalism, religious fundamentalism and aggressive militarism against neighboring countries. These phenomena must be countered by accelerating the process of integration into multistate liberal-democratic communities such as the EU and NATO. The decision-making role of the G7 must be increased. Even non-European countries such as Japan, Australia and Canada should find integrative forms of cooperation with countries that represent the same value system. The political values of the liberal democratic system should be disseminated more insistently within societies through the education system and the media. The independence of the judicial system is an inalienable value, while avoiding the dominance of the authoritarian minority over the democratic majority requires creative approaches and determined activism.

＊Interview by KaFSA Editor-in-Chief Kawamura Yasuhisa conducted at the Embassy of the Republic of Kosovo in Japan on 2 May 2025.