The following is the full text of the speech of Prime Minister Thaçi
Respected Deputy Prime Ministers
Respected Ministers
Respected Ambassadors and Directors of Liaison Offices
Respected Mr. Stock
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a great pleasure for me today to open this Third High Level Forum, in which we will discuss developments, events and activities in the four years since the last Donor Conference, held in July 2008.
This High Level Forum is the best platform for the annual review and evaluation of the work done by the Government of the Republic of Kosovo in improving its capacities and coordinating donations so that the effectiveness of assistance given builds and is in accordance with the development and integration priorities of the Government.
In addition, at the last High Level Forum we jointly agreed that the transparency of donations was of particular importance. Now, I can confirm to you that together with the donor community we have worked toward this goal and have been successful.
Today, we will present to you two key elements regarding the coordination of donors, the implementation of which will fulfill the Government’s objective of increasing the efficiency of external assistance, bearing in mind national priorities, increasing transparency and improving communication between the Government of the Republic of Kosovo and donors.
So today, we will present the progress made in creating sectoral and sub-sector groups and making functional the Platform for the Management of External Assistance, never bypassing improving fiscal and macro-economic policies.
I would like to reemphasize our commitment to continuing comprehensive reforms in the interest of the citizens of this country, with membership prospects in the European Union.
I would like to express my appreciation for the continuing offer of very necessary and valuable assistance to our country, despite the global financial crisis which has encompassed the world in recent years. Meeting the needs of our citizens for jobs, good salaries, good quality health care, quality education, and sustainable energy are difficult tasks. Kosovo’s needs today exceed its capacities to finance its requirements. Kosovo needs your help – technical, professional and financial assistance – to confront these challenges successfully.
The Kosovo Government is committed to strengthening as much as possible good governance, through which political stability was achieved and remains a key target for our society.
We pledge to continue reforms and strongly believe that the development and integration of our country into the big European family are integral processes, which complement one another. The Ministry of European Integration was founded for this purpose and serves as a bridge between the donor community and Kosovo institutions.
On the other hand, we believe that this year represents a great step forward for Kosovo in the European agenda. Kosovo welcomed the European Commission Progress Report and greatly appreciates the united position of the European Union on approving the Commission’s recommendation to deepen and intensify the dialogue for European integration. Another very important signal of Kosovo’s European prospects was the start of the visa liberalization process for Kosovo’s citizens.
These are two important segments for Kosovo, one of which constitutes the regulation of the internal market and the other, the adequate improvement of rule of law. These two processes are linked together by necessity and require comprehensive reforms in legislation, building of institutions, combating organized crime, full respect for human rights and the rights of minority communities living in Kosovo.
In the last Forum, I emphasized that we wish to progress in all areas. For example, in education we are trying to establish the infrastructural and staffing foundation to develop this important sector of society, and I can say that we are almost able to guarantee that our students will have the necessary skills to compete in a global economy, which assesses achievements and skills more than anything else.
Allow me also to emphasize that the valuable assistance you offer is of great importance to the Kosovo Government, and to make easier the manner of giving this necessary assistance to our country, the Kosovo Government is working intensively to improve its macro-economic and fiscal policies.
Respected guests,
Great progress has been made also toward building an institutional structure for donor coordination. This progress is due to the consistent work of the donor community and institutions responsible for this sector, now the Ministry of European Integration.
In 2012, Kosovo is an entirely different country to 2008, when the Donor Conference was held in Brussels. In these four years, I can freely say that the Kosovo Government and you together, have managed to build a state that can be considered a rare success story, a success story of international support for state building and consolidation. So, 13 years earlier, a new chapter of freedom and construction began.
So, I thank you and the Governments you represent for the assistance and partnership offered during these years.
You and the Government you represent can be proud of the work you have done in Kosovo, because not only have you helped to end the war, but you have assisted and supported the building of the state of Kosovo and its development.
Respected guests
Now, I invite you to pass from this phase of assistance into a phase of partnership in development and to sustainable development.
Once again, allow me personally and on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, to thank you for your continual support and partnership.
Thank you!
Last modified: July 31, 2022