Prishtina, 4 April 2013
After returning from Brussels, where the eighth meeting took place within the dialogue on normalizing interstate relations between Kosovo and Serbia, mediated by Baroness Ashton, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi held a press conference.
The following is Prime Minister Thaçi’s statement given to the media.
Late last night, the eighth round of meetings led by Baroness Ashton finished and I thank Baroness Ashton for her brilliant leadership of this process. I would also like to thank the USA for the guarantee they have provided for this process. At the same time, I express my thanks to all the European Union countries for their support and united position for Baroness Ashton’s efforts to find a solution to normalizing relations between Kosovo and Serbia. I would also like to thank NATO and EULEX for supporting this process.
Let me also express my gratitude to the entire Kosovar political spectrum which has supported this process. I thank the people of the Republic of Kosovo, from my heart, for their patience, trust and support for Kosovo’s delegation.
As you know, late last night, the meeting finished. The Kosovo delegation has been ready for an agreement on normalizing relations between the states of Kosovo and Serbia, since March 4.
Yesterday’s meeting was long and I can say that it was also difficult. Both parties presented arguments and counter-arguments, and supplementary suggestions were made by Baroness Ashton.
Respected media representatives and citizens of the Republic of Kosovo,
I can say with constitutional, legal and civic responsibility that there is total harmony between the position of Kosovo and that of the European Union.
The Serbian party, as you know, has requested time for additional consultations. Reaching an agreement is not just in Kosovo’s interest, or in the interest of one community, but it is in the interest of good neighborliness, in the interest of all citizens, and in the interest of the Europeanization of the entire region.
But, I would like to emphasize that regardless of all the current difficulties, we cannot declare the process closed or failed. We hope that Serbia will reflect, and accept reality with this agreement
I am very aware, and I know, that there are never easy solutions for any country or leader. But each of us, be it in Prishtina or in Belgrade, must look toward the future, and not remain hostage to the past, but we must allow reason to dominate and the courage to take a decision and reach agreement.
With regard to the association of municipalities, I would like to stress that it must be in accordance with Kosovo’s Constitution and laws.
The association of Serb majority municipalities will not have executive or legislative competences, and it will not constitute a third layer of government.
Similarly, the justice system will be united, and based on Kosovar laws in all the territory of the Republic of Kosovo.
Kosovo will have one police system with one chain of command. The police will operate according to Kosovar laws and according to the institutional structure of Kosovo.
The total dismantling of all illegal security structures will occur and there will be freedom of movement of people and goods in the entire territory of the Republic of Kosovo.
Once conditions have been created, local elections will be held in three, and eventually in four municipalities in the north, elections which will be organized and managed by the OSCE, at the invitation of the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo, and then the certification of the election results will be done by the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Kosovo.
After the elections are over, the mayors of municipalities who are elected will be able to form an association of Serb majority municipalities.
Last modified: July 31, 2022