Prishtina, May 3, 2013
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi received in a meeting the former Prime Minister of Albania, Pandeli Majko
Below we are providing the full addresses of Prime Minister Thaçi and former Prime Minister Majko at the press conference
Today I had the special pleasure that this morning I was able to meet my friend and the Prime Minister during the 1998-99 war, the former Prime Minister of Albania, Mr. Majko with whom I discussed the recent developments in Kosovo and the region, the possibility of enhancing cooperation between the state of Kosovo and Albania in relation to national integration, but also to European standards and values.
Most certainly, we discussed and recalled memories of the past, but moreover, we discussed about the present and the European future of the region.
I also informed the former Prime Minister Majko about the agreement reached between the state of Kosovo and Serbia to normalize relations between the two countries and nations as an agreement where Kosovo gains, but it also reflects for the better of both Serbia and for the Europeanization of our region, an agreement which received the full support of the Albanian state, the government and all Albanian politics.
I want to thank the politics in Tirana for this highly correct and determined stance to serve peace, stability and regional cooperation.
At the same time informed former Prime Minister Majko on the time frames of implementing this agreement, but also on the actors who will participate in the implementation, which are the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo, NATO, EULEX, with the full support of the European Union, the United States of America. On our invitation, OSCE will prepare the organization of free local elections in the north that will take place in the second half of this year’s fall.
These are the first free elections to be held in that part of Kosovo in these 14 years, in compliance with Kosovo laws, and we shared the same opinion that the implementation is vital to the agreement, and will have positive reflections for the entire region.
Thank you very much.
The address of former Prime Minister of Albania, Pandeli Majko:
In fact, today we had an extremely friendly conversation with the Prime Minister Thaçi. Both Hashim and I have a common station; whenever he comes in Tirana, and I come to Prishtina; now also thanks to the new road which extremely shortens the travelling time; I left early in the morning and we had our coffee together.
Of course, we are all interested and paying great attention to the quality that the new agreement between Kosovo and Serbian state gave to the region, of course under the full auspice of the European Union.
It is an extremely challenging moment, but it clearly has gained broad support across the political class. Moreover, I do not say this simply for the sake of the comment. Sometimes we are also a part or the victim of small things that must be said so, and then you journalists ask us what is the meaning of this or that.
In fact, currently we speak today, the official agreement between Pristina and Belgrade is a qualitative step which has been reflected not only and simply in the relationship between the two respective countries, but also has provided a new quality to the whole region because the relationship between Albanians and Serbs remain the most problematic relationship in the region today.
Therefore, I am inclined to look very carefully and with much optimism. Certainly not avoiding even that sour portion that every negotiated agreement contains because ultimately, a negotiation is a negotiation and one should make appropriate compromises.
Today I am in Pristina to hold a lecture on politics and nationalism, the relationship between the two sides of the coin, which in fact is one, especially in our region.
Today I had a special emotion to reiterate to my friend, the Prime Minister of the state of Kosovo, to give me the honor and pleasure that I could quickly take procedures to obtain the citizenship of the state of Kosovo.
There are many people in Kosovo who want to be citizens of Albania, but remember that there are some on the other side like me, who consider this area their home country, their people.
Last modified: July 31, 2022