Prishtina, 8 June, 2023
“The most appropriate way for a government to express its thanks to a foreign aid organization is to prove to it that it is no longer needed. And also, the highest compliment I can pay Ambassador Wigemark, as he concludes three and a half years of distinguished service, is that under his leadership, the European Union Rule of Law Mission has become, for the most part, more unnecessary than ever before”, said the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, last night at the farewell reception in honor of the head of EULEX, Mr. Lars Gunnar Wigermark, at the end of his term.
Expressing deep gratitude for his work at the head of this organization, the prime minister said that the ultimate goal of foreign aid institutions is not to stay forever in the countries they help. Rather, it is to prepare those countries to stand on their own two feet.
According to Prime Minister Kurti, the rule of law in Kosovo has never been stronger and that Kosovo has made significant progress in this field, especially in the last two years.
However, Prime Minister Kurti singled out the importance of EULEX and its presence in recent weeks in northern Mitrovica, where the rule of law has not yet been fully established. He thanked the brave women and men of EULEX for their service, together with the Kosovo Police and KFOR peacekeepers, to help maintain law and order against violent militia and criminal groups instigated and sponsored by Belgrade.
The Prime Minister concluded his speech by raising a toast to Ambassador Wigemark for everything he has done for our country and our people, hoping that Ambassador Lars will come and visit Kosovo as soon as possible and as often as his next commitments allow.
Complete speech of the prime minister in English:
Your Excellency, madam President of Republic of Kosova, Vjosa Osmani Sadriu,
Your Excellency, Head of the Assembly of Republic of Kosova, Glauk Konjufca,
Your Excellency Atifete Jahjaga, former President of Republic of Kosova,
Honorable ambassador Wigermark, dear Lars,
Honorable ambassadors and other diplomats,
Members of parliament and colleagues of Government,
Distinguish guests,
Ladies and Gentleman,
The ultimate aim of foreign aid institutions is not to stay forever in the countries that they help. Rather, it is to prepare those countries to stand on their own two feet, or to ditch their training wheels, if you’ll permit me to mix my metaphors. In this sense, the most fitting way a Government can express its thanks to a foreign aid organization is to tell it that it is no longer necessary. And likewise, the highest compliment I can pay to Ambassador Wigemark — as he closes three-and-a-half years of distinguished service — is that under his leadership, the European Union Rule of Law Initiative has, for the most part, become more unnecessary than ever before.
This is because the rule of law in Kosova has never been stronger. Kosova has made significant progress in this area, especially in the past two years. We have improved by 20 places in the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index. We have made progress in Reporters without Borders’ World Press Freedom Index, in which we have risen 22 places in the global rankings. And according to this year’s Freedom House report, Kosova ranks first in the Western Balkans, second in Europe and third in the world for progress made in political rights and civil liberties.
There is, however, one part of Kosova where EULEX has indeed been necessary, especially in the past few weeks. That is in the north of Kosova, where the rule of law has yet to be fully established. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the brave men and women of EULEX for their service, alongside the Kosova Police and KFOR peacekeepers, in helping maintain law and order against the violent militia and criminal groups instigated and sponsored by Belgrade. And I join the U.S., EU, and our other allies in condemning the violent attacks of those mobs on EULEX security officers.
Thankfully, my interactions with Ambassador Wigemark were not that strict: I will always remember our conversations and deliberations on a variety of topics like history, geopolitics, culture, future of European Union. Due to tense situations since last summer we drank together a lot of coffee and no drinks. Hope to rectify this a little bit tonight.
In 2008, when EULEX with its extensive executive power landed in Kosova, I was not that happy. Tonight, 15 years later, when we have to say farewell to Lars, again I am not that happy. I guess just another of those moments when after a Brussels decision all you can do was order a drink or two.
On that note, I would like to close by raising a toast to Ambassador Wigemark for all that he has done for our country and our people. Mr. Ambassador, dear Lars, I hope you come back to visit us here in Kosova, as early and as often as your future engagements allow.
Thank you very much.
Last modified: June 8, 2023