Seoul, 4 May, 2023
At the invitation of the Universal Peace Federation (UFP), the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, is participating in the 2023 Peace Summit that is being held in the capital of South Korea, Seoul.
“Contemporary Challenges of World Order: Towards a World Culture of Peace” is the title of the summit this year. Today, during the first day, Prime Minister Kurti participated in two discussion panels.
In the morning session, titled “Towards peace in the Indo-Pacific”, where, among others, the former Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo and the former Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States of America, Newt Gingrich, the Prime Minister Kurti addressed the attendees with an introductory speech in which he expressed his gratitude for the invitation and the opportunity to be part of this summit, especially at a time when it is becoming more and more clear that only universal peace is sustainable peace.
The Prime Minister singled out two trends that are dominating the world today; freedom, peace and democracy on one side, and invasion, war and autocracy on the other. These trends appeared especially after the Russian invasion and aggression in Ukraine, and which are also present in the Indo-Pacific region.
As one of the most dynamic and fastest growing regions both in terms of population and economic power and military capabilities, the Indo-Pacific region captures everyone’s attention. The Republic of Kosovo, said Prime Minister Kurti, supports peaceful developments in this region, stressing that respect for territorial integrity, peace and security are vital for peace and prosperity in the world.
He added that Kosovo admires the achievements of South Korea, Japan, Singapore and Taiwan in the field of digitization, as he said that we have excellent relations with other countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Malaysia and almost all the Pacific Islands.
We are interested and committed to work in the future, on the basis of mutual respect and common values, to promote peace, stability, democracy and prosperity, Prime Minister Kurti said, among other things, in his opening speech.
Meanwhile, during the afternoon, the Prime Minister was a panelist in the discussion that focused on Europe and the Middle East, where he had the opportunity to share with those present his point of view regarding the developments and the situation in the Western Balkans. He said that Kosovo is doing its best to have peace and security on the one hand, and freedom and democracy on the other hand, without having to sacrifice one for the other. He presented the main achievements of governance, with an emphasis on development and the fight against corruption. It singled out average economic growth in the last two years, growth in tax revenues, exports and foreign direct investment, and democratic progress, as evidence that quality democracy and economic development can go hand in hand. He said that in the past we have seen instances of favoring political stability over democratic reforms, which has resulted in autocrats who fear themselves while being cynical about others. Such a mistake should not be repeated, said Prime Minister Kurti.
He also spoke about the role and positions of Kosovo in the international arena, emphasizing here the alignment of positions and policies with the United States of America and the European Union in the joint response to Russia after its aggression on Ukraine, and for the help that Kosovo has offered to Ukrainian citizens, as well as to Afghan citizens. As a new democracy, we consider it a humanitarian obligation to help those who need it the most, but at the same time, a duty to our partners and allies to help them when they need it, said Prime Minister Kurti.
Video material from Prime Minister Kurti’s speech in the morning session entitled “Towards Peace in the Indo-Pacific”: https://we.tl/t-aoeWhK2Ym9
Video material from Prime Minister Kurti’s speech in the afternoon session:
https://mab.to/t/43TVYZc4NPl/eu1
Photo: https://we.tl/t-M5IKetukcE
Prime Minister Kurti’s complete speech in the morning session entitled “Towards Peace in the Indo-Pacific”:
Your Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear participants,
First of all, let me sincerely thank you for the invitation to participate in this Conference and to speak at the forum “Toward Peace in the Indo-Pacific”.
I just arrived in Seoul this morning, two hours ago, flying from Brussels, where we had a high level meeting between Kosova and Serbia, facilitated by the EU, and we did manage to agree on the text concerning missing persons issue, getting to an agreement on 1617 forcibly disappeared as result of the war we have had a quarter of a century ago. And it is great to be back in Seoul after four years, we celebrate 80th birthday of mother Moon when it is more obvious than ever that only universal peace is a sustainable peace and when peace need a federation of those who really want it.
The time we are going through represents a historical turning point. Two trends are sweeping through the world today: freedom, peace and democracy on one hand, and invasion, war and autocracy on the other. Both of these trends have become very clear, especially after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. We find that these two trends are present all over the world, so also in the Indo-Pacific.
In this time of globalization, Europe, Asia and the Pacific are not far away. My country is located in Europe, but developments in the Indo-Pacific are also having an impact on the Southeast European region, just as the unprovoked Russian aggression against Ukraine is having an impact on the Indo-Pacific region.
This region is receiving great attention. It is not only diverse but also one of the most dynamic and fastest growing regions in the world, very important both in terms of population size, economic strength and military capacity. This is the region of some of the largest and most populous countries on earth, such as India, China and Indonesia, which together in this region account for more than half of the world’s population. But it is also a region of sparsely populated countries such as the Pacific Islands, with their unique histories, cultures and perspectives. 60% of world GDP is generated in this part of the world, which is also home to seven of the world’s largest armies.
We are closely following the US-China competition in the Indo-Pacific on regional security, technology and global leadership. China’s perspective in Europe is diverse: as a trading partner, as an economic competitor and as a political opponent. We in Europe find it difficult to understand the reluctance of some Asian countries to openly condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the decision not to impose sanctions on Russia. Some countries have even increased cooperation with Russia since the invasion.
Despite its diversity, the Indo-Pacific region shares a common interest in maintaining peace, stability and security. This is reflected in the many initiatives and organizations that have sprung up to promote regional cooperation and integration, such as ASEAN, QUAD and the Pacific Islands Forum. In our view, the cooperation of Japan, South Korea, Singapore, India, Indonesia and other countries in the region with the United States, Europe Union, Australia and Canada is very important for world peace and security, especially for peace and security both here and beyond.
The Republic of Kosova supports peaceful developments in the Indo-Pacific region. Respect for territorial integrity, peace and security in the region are vital to world peace and prosperity. Stability in the Taiwan Strait and freedom of navigation through the South China Sea are very important to that end. Peace is regularly disturbed by missile launches from North Korea. Like our allies, we find such conduct dangerous and unacceptable.
Another serious problem is climate change. Pacific countries such as Tuvalu, Marshall Islands and Kiribati are seriously threatened by rising sea levels. It would be a great loss to world culture if the territories of these countries were to be covered with water due to our negligence in combating global warming. We therefore, wholeheartedly support world-wide efforts against clime change. And we have also joined those efforts by investing in renewable energy and beginning our transition to a green economy.
Kosova’s strategic interests are identical to those of our allies. Kosova shares the democratic values of the EU and the United States, has a similar multi-party system, and holds regular and free elections. Freedom of expression, freedom of the press and association, human rights and non-majority communities are respected in our country.
We will continue to work with our allies to combat transnational threats to peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region, and to promote mutual respect, safe movement and navigation, cooperation on climate change challenges, global health and cybersecurity. If we work together for peace and security, the region will prosper. The future of the Indo-Pacific is a free and open region, connected, prosperous, secure and resilient for generations to come.
Kosova greatly admires the achievements and the potential that South Korea, Japan Singapore and Taiwan have in the digital field. We are very interested in working with these countries, and with others, in these areas.
We have excellent relations with Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and almost all of the Pacific Islands. The government I lead has reached out to the countries of the Indo-Pacific to cooperate in a number of areas. We commit to working together in the future, on the basis of mutual respect and shared values, to promote peace, stability, democracy and prosperity.
Let me conclude by saying that I believe people are good and peace loving. People, nations, do not start wars. People suffers wars. This is why I am helpful that freedom of the people and peace among the people do prevail.
Thank you very much!
Last modified: May 8, 2023