Prishtina, 01 July 2009
The following is the full statement of Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi, after returning from an official visit to the US.
Kosovo’s membership in the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank and the signing of the agreement with OPIC are signs of strong international support for Kosovo.
Membership in these international institutions marks a new chapter for our state – the first chapter of real economic development and even stronger international trust in Kosovo’s institutions.
This historic success for Kosovo is above all the result of the work we have done in Kosovo and of the positive international assessment of Kosovo. As is known, 138 states voted for Kosovo to become a member of these institutions, states which have recognized Kosovo’s independence and others who are in the process of recognition. So, this is a fundamental success for Kosovo’s present and future.
We will continue with the responsibilities that we have taken on with the signing of this agreement and we will fulfill these obligations. Above all, the Republic of Kosovo’s membership in the IMF and the World Bank creates opportunities; it creates greater opportunities for a now brighter future.
Prime Minister Thaçi responded to media interest regarding the most recent statement of Serbian President Tadic, calling on the Serbs of Kosovo not to participate in local elections this November.
Tadic’s message is a bad one and is part of Belgrade’s political mentality of the past. We have invited Serbs to be part of our institutions and they are part of our institutions. They are integrating into a new democratic society. The return of Serb police to the Kosovo Police shows that we are building a modern state, a multi-ethnic society, with a secure future of integration into NATO and the EU.