Magnus Jacobson to Albanian media: the Nobel nomination isn't for Trump but for the process

Screenshot of News 24; From the left: Magnus Jacobson and the Albanian journalist Edvin Parruca

 The Swedish MP Magnus Jacobson, who nominated the governments of the United States, Kosovo and Serbia for the Nobel Peace Prize, said in an interview with the Albanian News24 that his goal was not certain people, but to point out the Balkan issue. According to Jacobson, the agreement reached in Washington between Kosovo and Serbia on economic relations is a good start on the road to peace, which could later lead to a political agreement between the two countries.

You have nominated the governments of Kosovo, Serbia and the United States for the Nobel Peace Prize. What connects you with Kosovo and the Balkan region?

My connections with Kosovo are initially in my city, where many people came during the war, but in the meantime there are also people from the Balkans who currently live here. Also, my eldest son is married to a Serbian woman. We also have grandchildren who are half Serb and half Swedish.

Is it true that you have an Albanian assistant, Mr. Naim Murseli and how did he receive the nomination?

Naimi and I are very good friends. He assisted me when I was in Kosovo, which I visited several times.

There is an anti-Trump climate in Sweden, you belong to the center-right party. How is it possible for you to make such a nomination for President Trump?

It's true what you say. In fact, in Sweden there is a debate about Trump, however, for me, this nomination is not for certain about some people but it is for the process. It's important to me. I made a proposal in the Swedish parliament that Kosovo also has the possibility of visa liberalization. My party has a very positive attitude regarding the fact that all Balkan countries should be part of the EU. In my view, Serbia should recognize Kosovo's independence. This deal starts with transport, and I think works and is a good first step.

How did the Swedish press cover your proposal?

President Trump called me two days ago, and I wrote on Facebook and Twitter. Shortly afterward, all the media in Sweden called me, but at first, the situation was not like that.

Is it true that you talked to Donald Trump and if so, what was the discussion with Trump?

Yes, it is true. He called me when I was in the car with my daughter. The topics we talked about were the Middle East and the Balkans. We talked about the fact that economic ties are very important to create a path to peace. We had a discussion about 5 or 6 minutes.

The nomination you made is a finding, that on the one hand serves to amplify the issue of Kosovo in the international arena, do you share this opinion?

In fact, this was somewhat my goal as well. I was noticing that many people were discussing the Middle East, I am a European politician. For me, it is very important to raise the issue of the situation in the Balkans. I have the impression that for some time the EU has not been very active in politics in the Balkans, making such a proposal, it shows that this is an important region. I think more needs to be done for the Balkans. Everyone who has studied the situation in the Balkans knows that the situation between Kosovo and Serbia has not been good. We know that the situation in Bosnia is also difficult. We must work for peace. So this is also the reason why I made this proposal.

What do you think about President Trump's statement during an election rally that he has stopped the mass killings between Albanians and Serbs?

Everyone in Europe knows that war happened 20 years ago. For me, the important thing is that if this economic deal works it will be a good start. But even in Europe, we need to work harder with the Balkans. My wife is from Estonia, I have seen over the last 20 years what impact the EU has had on Estonia. I hope to see the same prosperity in the Balkans.