Prishtina, 20 April 2013
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi held a press conference today, one day after the agreement approximated between the Republic of Kosovo and of Serbia was signed in Brussels.
Below is the full text of the statement made by Prime Minister Thaçi in the conference
Honorable media representatives
Dear citizens of the Republic of Kosovo
Yesterday, the Republic of Kosovo and the Republic of Serbia and the region opened up a new chapter, a chapter of cooperation.
Yesterday, by signing the agreement, Kosovo and Serbia chose the Europeanization of the region. Kosovo won, Serbia won and above all, the region won, the European Union won, and Euro-Atlantic values won. The option of peace, stability and integrity won.
With this agreement, we will normalize the situation in our country, and make it functional.
We will extend constitutionality and law to every corner of the territory of the Republic of Kosovo; we will normalize the situation in the north of the country; and, we will cement our European future.
Of course, it was not an easy process; of course there were difficult moments, but what is vital is that we have managed to advance the interests of our country’s citizens.
The agreement is in full accordance with the Constitution and our laws. The police and judiciary will operate according to the laws of Kosovo and will retain the unitary character of our state.
The Association of municipalities will function by the laws of Kosovo and it will have the same structure as the other existing association in Kosovo, without an executive or legislative character, or that of a third layer of government.
Parallel structures will be dismantled and local elections will be organized in the second half of this year, with the facilitation of the OSCE and according to the laws of the Republic of Kosovo.
Now, we must concentrate on the implementation of the agreement.
Yesterday, we also received a guarantee from NATO that they will be a partner in the full implementation of the agreement.
I would also like to send a message to our citizens in the north of Kosovo.
This agreement is good news for you and for us. This agreement opens up perspective enabling citizens to return to their property, to move freely and to live without fear.
I invite them not to fall prey to those who have held the situation in the north hostage for the last 14 years, who have who have held your lives hostage not to advance the political agenda of the country, but simply for narrow political, material and personal profit.
Therefore, I invite you not to be frightened of the agreement, and not to fear the Kosovo institutions.
By extending law and order, there will be greater opportunities for investment, development and employment, as well as for creating a democratic and multi-ethnic environment.
Honorable guests
Dear citizens of the Republic of Kosovo
With yesterday’s agreement, Kosovo definitively enters into an epoch of normality. Now, as institutions and as society, we must channel all our efforts and energy toward the country’s economic development and the fulfilling of democratic reforms.
The path toward the EU will be long and will require fundamental transformation. From now onward, this will be our main priority.
Thank you once again.
Last modified: July 31, 2022