Speech by Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi at the 14th meeting of the Stabilization Association Tracking Mechanism
Prishtina, 29 May 2008
Honorable Mr. Pierre Mirel
Honorable representatives of the European Commission,
Honorable Mr. Rucker
Honorable representatives from the Diplomatic Offices
Dear colleagues from the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo
Ladies and Gentlemen
I have the pleasure to open the 14th meeting in a row of the Stabilization and Association Tracking Mechanism.
Allow me to welcome all of you on behalf of the Government of Kosovo.
We are gathered today to discuss the progress achieved and the challenges we are facing while implementing the European agenda for Kosovo. Recently we have been witnesses to an accelerated dynamic in the process of European integration. In this spirit, the political and technical dialogue with the European Commission has been intensified. During the first half of this year, in cooperation with the European Commission, we have organized one STM plenary session and two sectorial meetings.
In addition to this, other sectorial meetings on Good Governance and Economy are being organized and will be held during the month of June 2008. I want to reiterate the importance to launch the assessment missions by the European Commission for Kosovo which represent a joint commitment of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo and the European Commission to identify certain challenges and to improve the functioning of our institutions and to benefit from the expertise and the recommendations of the experts from the European Union member states.
The last mission of this nature in the judicial system of Kosovo shows the readiness of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo to also advance this field aiming efficiency and the independence of the judicial system in Kosovo. In this context, we guarantee that the recommendations that will come out of the assessment missions will be taken into account and will be fully addressed.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In the last eight months, Kosovo has gone through a very important period both for the country and the region. On 17 November 2007 the central and local elections were held. We need to take pride in the course of the elections held in a democratic way and without incidents. Compliments were received from the international factors commending on the Kosovar political maturity during the electoral process which resulted in the creation of a multiethnic Government.
The Declaration of the Independence by the Parliament of Kosovo on 17 February 2008 represents a historical date and a new stage for the people of Kosovo. The recognition of the Independence of Kosovo by 21 members of the European Union shows the embracement of the western values of freedom and democracy for the nations around the world and also the right of the people to govern themselves and to create an environment where rule of law prevails.
We call on the other EU countries to follow the practice and be convinced about the mature and democratic society of Kosovo and recognize the new reality created in Kosovo.
The independence of Kosovo is not only an old aspiration of ours, but it is also a strong commitment to create better conditions for each and every citizen of Kosovo. This commitment has been proved with the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo which has been assessed as one of the most advanced in the world in terms of human rights and protection of minorities.
In proving its political maturity, the Government of the Republic of Kosovo insists on the full transfer of responsibilities from the United Nations mission to the local institutions in accordance with the Plan proposed by President Ahtisaari. The Government of the Republic of Kosovo is ready to govern all the territory of Kosovo as of 15 June 2008 when the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo will take effect, and to create a safe and secure environment for all the people of Kosovo, an environment where the rule of law prevails and where the welfare of the people of Kosovo is guaranteed.
We want to show the entire world that our independence is not and will not represent a threat to our neighbors and to the entire region, but on the contrary, it will be a factor of stability and instrumental to the European Agenda.
The Government of Kosovo over the past few months has increased its dynamic in proceeding with the laws deriving from the Ahtisaari plan and we can proudly conclude that most of these laws have now been adopted and we are committed not to let these laws only on paper, but also to fully implement them in an attempt to guarantee a fair and legal environment where services will be brought as close as possible to all the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo. We want Kosovo to serve as an example for the region and beyond in embracing democratic and European values.
Government’s Program 2008-2011 represents the basis for Kosovo as a state belonging to its citizens and developed in accordance with democratic principles, with a sustainable economy, multiethnic environment and with a full commitment for European and Euro-Atlantic integrations, through the implementation of the highest criteria and standards of responsibility and transparency.
The Government of the Republic of Kosovo is committed, based on the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo, to be engaged in and to work with full determination on the implementation of the strategic objectives and state policies and to ensure a favorable position in the course of the international politics.
Apart from the commitment for European integration, the Government will continue working on the consolidation of the government’s institutions: completion of the legislation and fighting of corruption and organized crime. The Government will also continue with the consolidation of the public administration to ensure institutional stability in accordance with European standards.
The Government of the Republic of Kosovo deriving from the elections, is committed to respond to all the requests and the needs of the citizens of Kosovo, and to be in the service of the people as part of a prudent policy, that is responsible and transparent and which leads Kosovo towards a fast and sustainable economic development for all its citizens. The Government is determined to create a safe environment for all its citizens.
A Kosovo that is economically viable and with a multiethnic society, a path leading to its European integration and the accomplishment of the highest standards of responsibility and transparency represent the main objectives of our Government. And for this the Government has divided these priorities in four pillars: economic development, implementation of the status agreement, good governance and alleviation of poverty and increase of social stability.
These priorities are an outcome of a process of consultations with the municipalities, ministries and the civil society. The expenditures of these priorities will be determined by the Mid-Term Expenditure Framework. The goal of the Government is to make these priorities achievable also in the financial aspect and sustainable in the fiscal aspect. These priorities represent the platform of the Government’s work and at the same time will also be presented in the Donor’s Conference for Kosovo.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Kosovo, although it has been in the process of state-forming and the establishment of the sustainable democratic institutions over the last nine years, it has never left aside the cooperation with the European Commission in the context of European Partnership. The intensification of this cooperation will continue in the years to come, especially having in mind the goal and the vision of Kosovo to be an integrated part of the European family one day. We are aware that the process of European integration is not easy.
At the same time we are aware that this mission is not impossible. It all depends on the intensity and the dynamic of our institutions to undergo reforms in this direction, and the Government of the Republic of Kosovo is absolutely committed to achieve that. We guarantee that all the obligations deriving from the European Partnership will be implemented as quickly as possible. We have proved this also with drafting and implementing the European Partnership Action Plan.
We are committed to take on all the obligations from the European Partnership in due time. In the past few months, drafting of a European Partnership Action Plan has been a priority for the Government of Kosovo, the third in a row, along the adoption of the European Integration Plan 2008-2010 on the establishment of advanced structures for an effective implementation of the activities spelt out in this plan.
The transposition of the European legislation has started and we are aware of the huge workload and of the need to apply the European acquis in a correct manner. Our goal is to implement and to build institutions and to build up capacities in administration based on our understanding. The role of the Parliament is crucial and we will be a close and open cooperator with regards to various types of assistance.
The Government together with the members of the European Union and the European Commission and its services is working in partnership to build up capacities also in the line ministries. We are aware that the line ministries should be in a position to resist the pressure from many competing priorities.
The implementation of the available assistance from all the multilateral and bilateral donors and especially the preparation of an effective IPA instrument are essential. The administration of Kosovo has for the first time been directly involved in the IPA Program 2008. We expect to have more responsibilities in the future cycles of the program and we will be able to lead the process very soon, of course in full partnership with the EC services.
We are aware that our next step/challenge of Kosovo in the European Union pre-accession process is to convince you, the European Commission, the member states, about our strong political readiness and determination (and the realistic understanding of an increased level), to enter the next stage in the process, to start the launch of the Feasibility Studies and MSA negotiations and later on to start the negotiations on the Stabilization Association Agreement in line with the regular procedures.
Strengthening of partnership with the European Commission is welcomed by the Government of the Republic of Kosovo. Switching from the Liaison Office of the European Commission to a Delegation of European Commission, we are convinced about a more comprehensive involvement by the European Commission in the process of Kosovo’s integration towards the European Union, and I repeat the trust of our institutions in the expertise and the recommendations of the European Commission in undertaking institutional reforms.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The regional cooperation is at the core of the politics of the NEW Kosovo, the Parliament and the Government. We are aware of the difficulties and challenges ahead of us. We have shown and we will continue to show that we are open and that we want to solve all the issues we face (that some perceive as problems). They are not easy and it may not be easy to solve them in a short period of time, however, we are committed to work as hard as necessary to leave all the problems behind us and not pass them on the new generations. We are ready and we also expect readiness from the others.
Lastly, I take the opportunity to thank one more time the representatives from the European Union for their continuous support provided for the institutions of Kosovo in its path towards membership in the huge European family. I reiterate the willingness of the Government of Kosovo to intensify our cooperation in facing challenges lying ahead of us.
I invite you to engage in open discussions so that the conclusions/recommendations coming out of this meeting help us address the challenges we are facing.
Thank you for your attention and I wish you good work!
Last modified: July 28, 2022