The speech of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi
Today is a special day for me as Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo and for the citizens of Kosovo because today has been visited by the Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Mr. Ihsanoglu. He has often visited Kosovo, but now he visits the independent and sovereign Kosovo.
I am very grateful to Mr. Ihsanoglu for his personal contribution and that of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the support they have given to Kosovo.
So far, the state of Kosovo has been recognized by 31 countries of this organization, and this organization extremely important.
Today, as an independent and sovereign state, Kosovo is being consolidated and strengthened every day; it is achieving tremendous progress, incomparable with other countries for this short period, the five-year period after independence.
I informed Mr. Ihsanoglu on the new recognitions of Kosovo that are coming and other anticipated recognitions that will come in the weeks and months ahead.
Of course one of the successes of the recent period I believe is also a hope for the secure future of Kosovo, but also of Serbia and the region, which is the agreement reached in Brussels between the state of Serbia and the state of Kosovo as this agreement comes after 100 years of conflict, reached for the first time between Kosovo and Serbia.
This agreement is extremely important for Kosovo, it is important for Serbia, for the entire region, for the entire European Union and all stakeholders who have invested and supported peace and stability and regional cooperation in Kosovo and beyond.
Mr. Ihsanoglu welcomed and supported the agreement reached between Kosovo and Serbia, as a message to other countries that have problems and conflicts that we can overcome all problems through peace and dialogue.
I believe that where there’s a will for peace, there will be room for justice, and this agreement opens a secure Euro-Atlantic perspective for two countries and nations, namely the state of Kosovo, but also Serbia’s perspective to join the EU and NATO, whereas in the near future – Kosovo’s membership at the UN also at the OSCE, and in all regional and international organizations.
Of course, I informed Mr. Ihsanoglu for the further steps that will be taken by the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, the EU and other actors involved in the process of agreement between Kosovo and Serbia, i.e., agreement to normalize relations.
Our teams have met in Brussels for the implementation process. Time limits are clearly presented and Kosovo has approved the document presented by the cabinet of Baroness Ashton.
In the coming days we expect Serbia to adopt and start implementing on the ground of this agreement, the implementation of which will change things for the better in Kosovo, but above all for the people who live in the north, that they be integrated, have room for law and order, to create opportunities for organizing free elections to choose their legitimate leaders, have a close cooperation between central and local institutions and so we can start with socio-economic investments start in order to create better conditions, new jobs, and increase the social welfare of all citizens.
Thus, the agreement between the state of Kosovo and Serbia is definitely the message that our region is Europeanized.
The speech by General Secretary of the Islamic Organization for Cooperation, Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu
Thank you mister Prime Minister
Ladies and Gentlemen
Let me first tell you how honoured my colleagues and me are to be here and visit your country and the honour to meet your Prime Minister. Later on, we will have a meeting with the President, and I will address the Assembly of Kosovo.
Meeting with the Prime Minister was very fruitful. We discussed the recent developments in Kosovo, the new agreement with Serbia, which for me is very important, as well as the situation in the Balkans and in the region, and several other international issues of interest to all of us.
Initially, let me say that the OIC has always been in favour of Kosovo’s independence. Almost a third of the states that have recognized Kosovo are members of the OIC, and finally Pakistan and Guanama have recognized the independence, and we expect to have new recognitions in the future.
I would like to state that I was personally connected with Kosovo; I have visited Kosovo several times since 1976, 1991 and 2003. However, this is my first visit as OIC Secretary.
Kosovo has been an important part of our agenda. We have also initiated a political dialogue with the Kosovo Government at all levels, including the recent visit of the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hoxhaj at the seat of OIC, and with their participation in the meeting of foreign ministers in November, and at the Cairo Summit, which was held in February this year.
OIC will continue to mobilize member states to recognize Kosovo’s independence.
Our recent resolution of the meeting of foreign ministers and our summit has respectfully supported the progress towards democracy in Kosovo and the institutional work that is taking place at the service of peace and stability throughout the country and the entire region.
These resolutions have encouraged cooperation between Kosovo and OIC economic and financial institutions.
We support Kosovo’s membership in the United Nations, to have full membership in the OIC, and with this in place, the door to economic cooperation will be fully open. The Development Bank of OIC will be ready to support major infrastructure projects, economic development and other socio-economic issues.
At this point, we are very happy to have learned the details of the agreement between Serbia and Kosovo through the mediation and facilitation of the EU.
All members congratulate both states for this major achievement.
Last modified: July 31, 2022