New York, 14 June 2013
Honorable Mr. President,
Dear members of the Security Council
It is a great pleasure to address you today once again and to present the key developments in the Republic of Kosovo during the last three months, which has been without doubt a very politically significant period.
Allow me at the start to express sincere appreciation to Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki Moon for his constant support for peace and progress in Kosovo and the Balkans.
Over the last three months, we have had various special historic developments. The most important event was the signing of an inter-state agreement for peace and normalization between Kosovo and Serbia, with the mediation of the European Union.
In parallel with this event, the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo have maintained economic and political stability, they have continued to promote and protect the rights and interests of all communities, they have improved the socio-economic situation in the country, as well as significantly advancing our European perspective.
Honorable members of the Security Council,
After eleven rounds of high level political dialogue, on April 19, 2013, the first historic inter-state agreement was reached between the Republic of Kosovo and of Serbia, with the mediation of the EU High Representative, Baroness Catherine Ashton. This agreement and previous political dialogue had its origins in the Resolution of the UN General Assembly in 2010, and I am proud that we have managed to implement this resolution.
The Republic of Kosovo has continually shown its support and unbending determination for political dialogue and the agreement with Serbia, by undertaking all political measures to ensure the acceptance of the agreement in Kosovo and its effective implementation. The Kosovo Assembly approved the agreement with two thirds of the votes.
In addition, Kosovo’s citizens expressed their hope that this agreement is in the interests of peace, stability and prosperity in Kosovo. Our Serb partners in Kosovo in the government coalition have been part of the dialogue process and have agreed to strongly support the agreement reached. The agreement has received broad support from the international community.
In addition, I would like to congratulate the efforts of my counterpart, the Prime Minister of Serbia, Ivica Dacic, for his serious engagement in achieving this historic and important agreement for our two states and peoples.
To this end, the facilitation of the dialogue by the High Representative, Baroness Catherine Ashton and the reaching of the agreement under her leadership, represents a special achievement in EU foreign policy and a distinguished achievement for the normalization of the entire region. In addition, the significance of this bilateral agreement between Kosovo and Serbia extends beyond the Western Balkans, because it creates a space of unity among member states of the European Union in relation to full recognition of Kosovo’s independence.
The agreement contains 15 points that regulate key aspects of the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia. The agreement is in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo. The agreement opens up the path to establishing stability in the north through a fundamental transformation of the current security situation, as well as political and economic conditions. The agreement opens up the prospect of Kosovo completing its international recognition and membership in international bodies
One of the main aspects of the agreement is the establishment of an Association, which will perform several functions related to local economic development, education, health, and urban and rural planning. We agreed that the powers of the Association shall be in accordance with the Constitution of Kosovo, the Law on Local Self-Government and the European Charter of Local Self-Government.
The Association will be an integral part of Kosovo institutions and as such will work closely with the central government in the exercise of its activity.
Since the beginning of the dialogue, the Republic of Kosovo has been convinced that there can be no normalization of the situation in the north while illegal Serbian parallel structures operating in the north are not dismantled. The agreement ensures, and the implementation plan sets out in detail, that by mid-July 2013 Serbia will close down all of its security operations in Kosovo, and stop providing financial support.
The agreement ensures that the Kosovo Police will be the only legal and legitimate police authority in the north of Kosovo. A regional police commander will be nominated by the Association and then selected by the Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo. On this point, finally the rule of law will be strengthened in the north of Kosovo, as well as allowing law enforcement authorities to cooperate more effectively.
The agreement confirms the single legal system of the Republic of Kosovo as the only legal authority in the country.
The integration in time of the Serbian judicial authorities within the legal and judicial system of Kosovo is essential, and we consider that this composition of the judicial system will raise community confidence in the Kosovo courts, improve inter-ethnic relations, and above all will establish the rule of law in the north of the country, that has been lacking in the past 14 years.
Another important aspect of the agreement is to organize local elections in the north of Kosovo in October this year, in parallel with municipal elections throughout Kosovo. Elections will be held in cooperation with the OSCE and in accordance with the laws of Kosovo and international standards.
Organization of municipal elections will bring political stability in the north; it will increase the democratic legitimacy of the institutions of Kosovo, and it will establish good governance at the local level.
Another point of the agreement emphasizes the mutual agreement that neither side will block, or encourage others to block, each other’s progress on their path to EU integration. This mutual assurance provides hope that the European integration path for the two countries will be bright and quick, based on fair conditions and individual merit.
Honorable members of the Security Council,
Prior to this agreement, Kosovo and Serbia have signed a number of technical agreements on the free movement of people and goods, on applying integrated border management to the interstate border, on customs services and on the exchange of liaison offices in both capitals as the first step to establishing diplomatic relations. Without doubt, these agreements have improved the political, economic and social situation in Kosovo, Serbia and the wider region.
The implementation of integrated border management between the Republic of Kosovo and Serbia has continued in recent months.
In recent months, the agreement for the exchange of liaison offices between Kosovo and Serbia has made steady progress toward finding a common solution for the liaison representation, with regard to mandate, composition and immunities and protection of the person and communication
In this regard, for the first time, the Republic of Kosovo will be represented at ambassador level in Belgrade with a liaison officer, currently serving as part of the Kosovo Diplomatic Service. It marks a historic turning point in official communication between the two countries and these liaison offices will have a unique role in creating reciprocal trust.
Without diminishing the importance of the historic signing of the agreement, the implementation of the agreement is essential for the Republic of Kosovo. The coming months will be crucial for the implementation of the agreement.
The Kosovo government, public institutions, and broad political spectrum in the country are committed to implementing the agreement, in order to open up the path to the integration and normalization of the north of Kosovo and to improving relations with Serbia, by opening a new chapter of cooperation, dialogue, and mutual understanding. We express our determination and place a high priority on undertaking all the technical and political actions and implementing in a timely and constructive manner, all aspects of the agreement.
We also expect Serbia to operate and maintain a straight course toward advancing and fulfilling their obligations, working closely with local Serbs in the north to persuade them to accept and implement the agreement. We expect further support from EU member states and the wider international community regarding the implementation of the agreement as well as the completion of full international recognition of Kosovo and membership in the UN and other international and regional bodies
Mr. President
Honorable members of the Security Council,
During the last three months, the Republic of Kosovo has maintained political and economic stability, it has sustained a secure environment for all its citizens, it has improved its institutional performance, it has strengthened the rule of law, it has sped up efforts and investment for the protection of communities and religious freedoms, it has worked to improve socio-economic conditions, as well as for the social inclusion of different social groups in Kosovo.
The flow of international recognition of Kosovo’s independence and statehood has continued in recent months. Kosovo in recent days and weeks has been recognized by Tanzania, Yemen, and Guyana. We have also intensified regional participation and membership in several European bodies, such as the European Investment Bank.
The effective and timely implementation of the agreement is essential to establishing security, the rule of law and order in the north of Kosovo, as well as reducing the criminal activity and economic informality that thrives in that part of Kosovo under the domination of Serb parallel structures in the last 14 years.
The Kosovo government has continued its ongoing commitment to protecting and promoting the rights of communities, by providing institutional, political, economic, and social support. Kosovo’s security institutions have increased their efforts to provide additional security for Serbian Orthodox churches and other heritage. Since March 2013, the Kosovo Police has created a special Task Force composed of 207 police officers from all communities who provide security 24 hours a day for religious and cultural buildings. So far, there has been no report of any incident against Serbian Orthodox heritage in Kosovo.
Furthermore, during this period, Kosovo has maintained economic stability, it has continued with the privatization of social enterprises and it has increased foreign direct investment. Similarly, the Assembly has continued its legislative work and it has passed ten new laws that regulate a variety of economic, judicial, and public administration issues.
Honorable members of the Security Council,
Kosovo’s path towards EU integration has shown steady progress. EU integration is a priority in our state. This is our agenda of modernization and political transformation.
As a result of Kosovo’s constructive engagement in the continual dialogue and fulfilling European requirements, Kosovo is on track to open negotiations this year to sign a Stabilization and Association Agreement and also to benefit from visa liberalization.
On 22 April 2013, the European Commission recommended the opening of negotiations for signing a Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) with Kosovo, which opens up prospects for establishing contractual relations between the Republic of Kosovo and the EU. In less than two weeks, the EU Council will take a decision on the approval of negotiations for the signing of the SAA between the EU and Kosovo
This EU report represents the first and most politically important acceptance of Kosovo’s progress on its path towards the EU. The report acknowledges that Kosovo has met all four short-term priorities in the field of public administration, rule of law, protection of communities, and trade, and recommends to the European Parliament and the EU Council to open negotiations for the signing of an SAA with Kosovo.
Honorable members of the Security Council,
Last but not least, after these important developments in recent months, and overall political, economic, social and inter-ethnic progress, it is our deep conviction that it is time for the Council to consider the end of the UNMIK mission in Kosovo. This should happen in the near future in order to contribute to the processes in Kosovo, to create space for local ownership, to save the credibility of the UN and its role in the past in Kosovo, and ultimately to reduce unnecessary financial expenditure, which could be used by UN agencies in Kosovo for more important socio-economic development projects, or in other crisis situations.
The agreement between Kosovo and Serbia represents a significant new moment for the Council to consider passing a new resolution, to end the mandate of UNMIK in Kosovo, to show the UN Security Council’s support for the first agreement mutually agreed between Kosovo and Serbia, to provide support for the EU to monitor implementation of the agreement, and also to show support for both parties to fully function as independent neighbors and members of international society.
Honorable members of the Security Council,
Let me conclude by reiterating the unwavering dedication and perseverance of the Kosovo Government and its people to continue to make Kosovo a successful and developed state, to leave behind the legacy of the past and to join the community of free and peaceful nations, in the region and world.
The agreement between Kosovo and Serbia represents a crucial and historic moment for the improvement of relations between Kosovo and Serbia, as two independent states and a historic opportunity, which will pave the way for good neighborly relations in the EU integration process. Both sides had to make some compromises, which in the end were in the best interests of the citizens of Kosovo and their future, within a unitary and functional state of Kosovo.
However, the main determinant of success and normalization of interstate relations will be the implementation of the agreement in a timely and effective manner. Good intentions must be translated into visible action. Members of this Council, and the wider international community should support the effective implementation of the Agreement.
Thank you for your attention.
Last modified: July 31, 2022