Prishtina, 15 March 2011
The address by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi in the World Leaders of Change Summit, held in Istanbul of Turkey.
Distinguished participants,
I am honored to be here today at the “Changing Leaders Summit”, at this very important time of changes that are happening in the world.
The Post -World War II period was changed in a fundamental way in the last two decades, or as we refer it to as post-war New Global Order. We are gradually becoming aware of this fact, nonetheless the changes are here, and they can be seen.
Towards the end of the eighties and beginning of the nineties – as we remember – the citizens in many European countries were marching for freedom. The Central and Eastern Europe were changing, the Soviet Union dissolved, the end of Cold War, and also the end of a bipolar world order – are changes that are noticeable even today.
The Declaration of Independence from the Parliament of Kosovo marks an historical date and a new period of time for the people of Kosovo. Now after three years of Kosovo’s statehood Republic of Kosovo, as an independent and sovereign country, has been recognized by 75 member states of United Nations, among them the most powerful countries in the world, the United States and the majority of the EU member states, of NATO, Council of Europe, and so forth. This reflects the huge support that the new country Kosovo enjoys in the international arena, and the legitimate right and the will of the people of Kosovo to create an environment where rule of law and democracy prevail.
All neighboring countries have recognized Kosovo, apart from Serbia. Furthermore, on 22 July 2010, the International Court of Justice in The Hague ruled that the declaration of independence of Republic of Kosovo is not in violation of the international law.
What I want to say is that we all know the past of the Kosovo-Serbia relation, we all know the bitter, dark, and hostile past, which many have suffered, but now a new chapter has started – the chapter of Euro-Atlantic integrations for both countries.
Now again going back to the changes around us. We have experienced yet another change – a change that has played an important role towards the end of the eighties in the changes that happened in the world – development of information society.
Towards the end of eighties and the beginning of the nineties, we were confronted with a huge wave of information. It was this rapid flow of information and news that put the issue of Kosovo in the world media news headlines, where all the countries of the world got informed about the war and oppression that was happening in Kosovo.
In this regard, we are also witnesses for years now of the conquest called Internet, which is changing our societies in the ways that we cannot even anticipate. Social networks such as Twitter and Facebook – have made it impossible for anyone to hide in the world, or to neglect its citizens thinking that nobody will find out.
At this very time – and this could also not be imagined some time ago – from the Middle East we are receiving images that truly bring back the memories of what we went through in Europe in the last century: people gathering their courage, people leaving aside their fear, people expressing their true opinions, and condemning the injustice.
All of us gathered here, starting from our own experiences can declare that we stand close to these people that raise their voice in the streets. This is why we also need to add that the changes that are happening are changes of peace and reason.
On the other hand, we should also stress that changes need to be shaped. European Union and United States of America should help these countries as they had helped Kosovo to build democratic institutions with a clear future in the Euro-Atlantic structures.
The statebuilding of Kosovo is a success story in the scene of the international relations, a story that many professors in prestigious universities around the world use as a case study of how the European Union, United States of America, NATO came together in a partnership to stop the war.
Now the Republic of Kosovo is an important factor for preserving the stability in the region and for regional cooperation for good neighborly relations towards the path of European Union.
So, the US together with Europe and other partner countries should find the model of democracy to best fit these people living in these countries and their culture. So, on the one hand this partnership of countries should help, while on the other hand should be aware of which model of democracy would be the most appropriate for the stability in the region.
It was also the first decade of the 21st century that brought us very dramatic events, first there was September 11, 2001, and then there was the global financial and economic crisis – a similar crisis the world did not suffer for decades.
Despite the global economic and financial crisis, in the period of 2008-2010 Kosovo’s economy grew by more than 5%.
The Government of the Republic of Kosovo has paid a special attention to capital investments, as a precondition for economic development of the country and the improvement of the quality of the life of citizens. Thus, in the years 2008-2010, the budget for capital investments increased more than two-fold compared to preceding years.
Kosovo is a signatory to multilateral and bilateral agreements that have economic impact. Agreements such as CEFTA, SEETO, and Athens Treaty (TKE) are of outmost importance for Kosovo, since they enable us to become a fully integrated partner in the region, and to strengthen the relations with our neighbors, but also create the pre-conditions for opening and liberalization of the Western Balkans market.
It is of outmost importance the participation of Kosovo on the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA). Although there are few obstacles that Kosovo faces on enjoying all the benefits of CEFTA, nonetheless it has still benefited from entering a market of over 50 million people.
Kosovo is a new country with a wide spectrum of needs for development. Our objective is that through cooperation with our partners to accomplish our development activities faster. Kosovo offers many investment opportunities:
• Rich natural resources of lignite, led, zinc, nickel, and fertile land
• Young and motivated population (70% under the age of 35) – we have the youngest population in Europe. Whilst it is a liability, the youth at the same time is our greatest asset that we have. Whereas the labor in Kosovo (average wage) is comparable with the region.
• We have legal framework compatible with EU
• Macroeconomic and financial stability – EURO as the official currency, which brought credibility and stability in our financial system.
Many people here probably remember the time when finding a job meant going to the closest factory or company.
Not always finding a job meant having a college degree and your competition were your neighbors. The job was hard, but it was a job that would see you through retirement, and you would feel proud if your children would work for the same company.
That world has changed. For many people this change was painful. We can see that in the broken windows of the abandoned factories, which once were pillars of our countries’ economies.
Within a generation we have experienced technological advancements that have transformed the way we live and work. Once the factories needed tens of thousands of workers, now the same job can be done with only hundreds of workers. Now anybody can open a factory, manufacture, and sell products around the globe, everywhere where there is an internet connection. The whole world has become a huge global market.
Again I want to emphasize that all of us here today share the responsibility, in one hand we have an organization such as NATO that can continue to cultivate the spirit of cooperation in the security field, and engage member countries to discuss new challenges that lie ahead of us, because all these challenges did not exist decades ago.
Challenges like international terrorism was not a threat at a global level, as it is now. Another challenge is also nuclear proliferation, and ensuring that nuclear weapons do not fall into wrong hands.
All these global challenges, make us think about ways how to address these challenges together, not only European countries together with USA, but all countries across the globe that are interested to be a part of partnership for peace and good transatlantic relations.
Because now we are not living in a bipolar world, we live in a multi powers world, with world powers on the rise which should also carry their share of global responsibility.
I want to start the second part of my presentation by addressing the new balances that these changes have brought in the world we live in today.
But here too, I must return to the issue of global financial and economic crisis, and new power structures in the world.
Global financial and economic crisis in addition to creating inflation, unemployment, and bankruptcy of some of the worlds most powerful corporations, which we would never even, imagine, but they happened – it also restructured the global scene of world powers.
Some countries grew more powerful out of the crisis, they became economic powers. They are now ready to play an important role. On the other hand, rising economies which are achieveing great economic power, apart from the responsibility in the global economy, should also take on more responsibility in the field of security and foreign policy.
This is why it is important for countries like China to play an important role in the world.
Thus Ladies and Gentlemen, these are challenges that all countries regardless whether they are a superpower like the USA, or a small country like Kosovo, all should play their part so we can reach an agreement for the way forward.
For many challenges countries are signing agreements of cooperation. While for world powers international terrorism, or defence from cyber are among the challenges they need to address with priority, countries like Kosovo still have priorities in a regional level in order to improve the life of their citizens through concrete steps.
During this and the past government mandate, institutions of the Republic of Kosovo have undertaken important steps in the process of visa liberalization. In this direction, in May 2009 Government of the Republic of Kosovo has approved the roadmap and action plan for Visa Liberalization.
During recent months, a special focus was shifted to achieving the preconditions for the start of visa liberalization, which were considered by European Commission as fulfilled, and which will open the way for receiving Strategy for Visa Liberalization.
Lastly, I want to reiterate that the Republic of Kosovo as a new European country, with its citizens known as Young Europeans, is ready to play its role as a country that knows how to take responsibilities of today’s evolving world.
Also, I want to stress that Kosovo is a country that plays an important role for peace and stability in the region.
In this context, we have achieved to open a new chapter in our statehood; we have started discussions with our neighbor country Serbia, in order to improve the lives of all the citizens in the Republic of Kosovo.
If we cooperate with many others in the world, I am confident that this cooperation will be an important pillar to turn the world in a better place for everyone, although we need to acknowledge the fact that problems and challenges will continue.
Thus, Kosovo as a new country is ready to play its role, by developing its economy, by preparing its youth for the world labor market, by creating favorable investment climate, and most importantly by strengthening rule of law.
That is why I invite all other countries to follow closely the achievements of Kosovo, and be convinced in a mature and democratic Kosovo society, and also to acknowledge the new reality created in Kosovo.
Thank you!
Last modified: July 31, 2022