The following is the complete speech of the Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi:
Esteemed Mr. Zbogar,
Esteemed Ambassador Mrs. Jacobson,
Esteemed Mrs. Hodžić,
Esteemed EU ambassadors and donors,
Esteemed Ladies and Gentlemen, ministers and participants,
First of all, you are all welcome to the meeting for donor coordination in the northern part of Mitrovica.
Allow me to start by highly appreciating your continuous efforts for the general progress of the Republic of Kosovo, but also for that of the northern part of Mitrovica in particular.
The northern part of Mitrovica is still facing great challenges, amongst which the most complex are the lack of rule of law and of the other institutional mechanisms that offer public services by legally elected and legitimate institutions.
Esteemed participants,
The Republic of Kosovo and the Republic of Serbia are still part of the dialogue for the normalization of relations between the state of Kosovo and Serbia, with our dedication to good neighborly relations, as a indispensable precondition to Kosovo’s Euro-Atlantic integration, and that of the other countries of the region. Within the framework of dialogue, the latest topic of discussion regarded the dissolution of parallel structures, and the creation of security and of the association of Serb-majority municipalities.
After a number of rounds of meetings, under the excellent mediation of Baroness Ashton, we drew close to the agreement for the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia.
I wish to hope that the right time will come and the appropriate circumstances will arise in order to reach the agreement.
The agreement will help in the consolidation and functionality of the state of Kosovo, in the functioning of all state institutions at every corner of the country, as well as provide for the full integration of Serbs in the north and all those that live there in the institutions of Kosovo and in all institutional and society mechanisms.
The agreement will enable the free movement of people and goods; a safe environment will be created in the north as well, and work will be done for the dissolution of all illegal security structures.
The offer to each citizens of Kosovo, regardless of ethnicity, is simple and clear – Kosovo is our common country and we have built it and we are building it for our common good, without ethnic distinctions, to the benefit of our citizens in the municipalities in the North of Kosovo, whose life is still held hostage by certain groups.
Establishing rule of law and public order in the Northern part of the territory of the Republic of Kosovo is essential for its development within the framework of the Constitution and the laws of the country, and for the tranquility, safety and wellbeing of our citizens of the Serb community.
Thus, investments in this part of Kosovo are significant and essential, because in this manner the citizens of this part will create sound relations with the institutions, and at the same time confidence on Kosovo’s state bodies will grow.
I wish to believe that Serbia is also deeply interested for rule of law in the north of Kosovo, and for a normal life for the Serb community that lives there.
Success in dialogue benefits both states, and above all benefits our citizens. If dialogue will be successful, there will be ne losers, only winners.
Last modified: July 31, 2022