Thaci and Faith conclude supervision

10/09/2012 00:00

In Kosovo was marked today the conclusion of the supervised independence
with a press release that had the participation of the outgoing head of
ICO, Peter Faith and Prime Minister Hashim Thaci.

Faith declared that Kosovo, although a new state, has made concrete steps ahead in the construction of a multi-ethinc state.

“The Kosovo government has approved important decisions for a multi-ethnic Kosovo. Kosovo has made important steps ahead and for the EU aspiration. They will always benefit from the friendship with the EU and the USA”, Faith declared.

While Prime Minister Thaci considered this a historical moment for Kosovo.

“The international community gave full support to the Kosovo Institution for the conclusion of supervised independence. This is a historical and important moment for the state of Kosovo, which is being reinforced each day”, Thaci declared.

Thaci added that Kosovo has achieved many objectives in these years of independence, but admitted that there are still important challenges ahead.

“However, there are new challenges ahead, such as that for the Serbian community in the North, the EU SSA agenda, the visa liberalization, etc. We will work to become part of NATO and EU, and for having good relations with our neighbors, including Serbia”, the Prime Minister continued.

Faith and Thaci answered to the journalists’ questions regarding north, underlining that it remains the main challenge after the supervision.

“Only the government of Kosovo can lend the hand of friendship and reconciliation to the Northern Serbs, by offering better working conditions and equal rights. This is not possible for the international community”, Faith declared.

“The northern issue will be an additional responsibility for me. I have presented in Washington and Brussesls a plan for the integration of the Serbian institutions in Kosovo, which foresees the rule of law, free institutions, economic investments and the removal of Serbian structures from the former Spokesperson of Milosevic. This will be achieved by preserving the territorial integrity of Kosovo”, Thaci declared.

Obama greets Kosovo: Now, more responsibilities

The US President, Barack Obama, greeted Kosovo for the conclusion of the supervised independence. Through a message Obama expressed his support for the closure of this process, which according to him is a great success for the Kosovo people.

“I strongly welcome and support the today’s warning of the International Leading Group that the international supervision of Kosovo’s independence has ended. After four years and a half, the fulfillment of the All-Inclusive dispositions for the Solution of the Status is a major achievement for all Kosovo citizens”, Obama declared.

“With the optimism, energy and determination that is a characteristic of its people, Kosovo has made important steps ahead in reinforcing the achievements after independence and the construction of the institutions of a modern state, multi-ethnic, all-inclusive and democratic”, declared the US president in his message.

However, the US president declares that Kosovo has still much to do, especially now that its leaders will take a full responsibility to ensure that the principles incarnated in its independence and Constitution will be valid for every citizen.

“Kosovo must have a constructive commitment with its neighbors and will work for resolving unsolved issues, especially those with Serbia. The achievement of this will reinforce independence, sovereignty and the territorial integration of Kosovo. They will serve for the promotion of the stability from which depend the Euro-Atlantic perspectives of the region”, Obama says.

On behalf of the US people, the President congratulated the government, the Parliament and the Kosovo people in this historical moment that according to him marks an important step for Kosovo’s position in a free, complete and peaceful Europe.

Serbia reacts: Independence doesn’t exist for us

Serbia considers the conclusion of Kosovo’s supervised independence as a factor that will increase fear and insecurity among the Serbian population in Kosovo.

Alexander Vulin, Head of the Office for Kosovo at the Serbian Government says that there where Kosovo’s institutions had the situation under control, there has been no security and justice.

“If the institutions of Kosovo rule as they have done so far, this would be a historical mistake”, Vullin declared.

While Prime Minister Ivica Dacic declared that there is no independence for Kosovo. “For us, the Kosovo issue is unsolved, since Serbia doesn’t agree with this”.

Rather than the independence he spoke about the human organ trade and the investigations regarding this issue. The northern Serbs have declared that this case is not different.

“Serbia is not spoiling Kosovo’s party, but Kosovo has accepted EULEX and many other conditions for showing that there is no party”, Dacic declared.

On the other hand, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Alexander Vucic, met the US Ambassador, Mary Worlick, with whom he discussed the continuity of dialogue. Vucic declared that he will discuss about Kosovo during his next visit in Germany.

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Ahtisari and
Wisner: Historical achievement for Kosovo

A special
session for the conclusion of the supervised independence of Kosovo is being
held at the Kosovo Parliament. The main personalities that held speeches were
President Atifete Jahjaga, the Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, the former main
negotiator, Marti Ahtisari, and the former special envoy of the USA, Frank
Winser.

Jahjaga: Today
we enabled our citizens to choose their government with a free vote. The Republic
of Kosovo is a factor of peace and stability. We aim to be a country of great
possibilities and with great achievements. We are implementing deep reforms,
including those in the administration. Free Kosovo aims the NATO and the EU
membership.

Thaçi: In
the most difficult moments, the world opened its eyes. Thousands of people gave
their lives for independence. Today we are looking for a peaceful living.

Ahtisari: I
am here today to finish a path. The success in Kosovo and Serbia is not found
in applauses, but their dedication to a plan. The achievements of Kosovo are
our mutual success. The UN and the EU have monitored Kosovo more than any other
state, but the most decent supervisors of independence are the citizens of
Kosovo. Kosovo will now be supervised only through the EC progress-report.

Wisner: I
share on this tribune my best wishes for you, Mrs. President, for the Prime
Minister and Mr. Faith, who made the ICO to reach this conclusion. I was the
envoy of the US in the negotiations for the status, a task that I accepted with
full responsibility. I am happy that Kosovo’s independence was important for
the US, since if there would be no peace in this country, there would be no
peace in Balkan or Europe. Without considering the independence as a future of
Kosovo, the NATO mission would not be able to be accomplished and we would have
a failure in front of us. The US would support this state to secure their position
in the international community, to improve their economy and have a better
future for the country. The dialogue with Serbia remains important, together
with good neighboring and the elimination of the parallel structures.

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Ischinger: It is a day of joy for Kosovo, the Kosovo
Parliament and Government, and especially the people of Kosovo. I am happy to
be here today. This Parliament has made an excellent work by changing the
Ahtisari plan in the Constitutional framework of Kosovo. I thank Kfor and Eulex
and my friend Peter Faith for the great work. I think that the state must not
object identity, but help reinforcing it. This goes for northern Kosovo too.
The north will need more time, but it will be realized. War against corruption is needed and the rule
of law, a condition for attracting foreign investors and for developing the
economy. The future of Kosovo is in Europe and only Europe. I appeal all
countries, within and outside the EU that it is time to recognize Kosovo as a
state. As for the relations with Belgrade, Ashton’s goal is to continue the
dialogue with Serbia, because Kosovo would only profit from this. Make good use
of your sovereignty, with responsibility Try to give an example for the region.

Nishani: Kosovo left its past behind

To the congratulations messages going to Prishtina for the completion of the supervised independence was added that of the Albanian President, Bujar Nishani.

Nishani values that Kosovo has definitively left behind its bitter past and is going towards a prosperous future.

“Dear citizens of Kosovo. I address to you in this moment of solemnity and reflection, when the future and the past of Kosovo are separated and united at the same time. The bitter past is separated from the safe and prosperous future for all Kosovo citizens of any ethnicity and religious affiliation. Today are united the efforts and devotion for freedom, democracy and prosperity. The conclusion of Kosovo’s independence is the coronation of the sublime efforts of many generations of warriors, martyrs, intellectuals, politicians and freedom allies. We honor their act with gratitude. The Republic of Kosovo has just started its long trip as a complete independent and sovereign state that has on its hands the future of the citizens and the generations to come. Allow me to felicitate you on this day of joy, which will be part of the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the first Albanian state. This day is filled with enthusiasm, but also great responsibilities”, Nishani declared.

Self-determination boycotted session

The Self-Determination movement, which had opposed since the beginning the package of Ahtisari, on the base of which Kosovo’s independence was declared on February 2008, warned that they would not be present in this Parliamentary session.

According to the SD Movement leader, Albin Kurti, the session is a farce since it doesn’t speak about sovereignty or self-determination.

“We are for sovereignty and self-determination and this session has none of them. We believe that Kosovo deserves much more, the Kosovo people deserve much more and we will work so that Kosovo will be better”, Kurti declared.

“What happened in these days is the turning of the ‘Bac u Kry (Dad, it’s done)’ move into sequels, where the ‘Bac, u Kry’ of 2008 is becoming ‘Bac, u Kry 2’. This government is offering more show, because there is each day less food”, Kurti added.

Kurti criticized once again Ahtisari’s package by saying that this plan doesn’t have the full independence of Kosovo and has delayed the real independence.

One day ago Kurti sent a letter to Marty Ahtisari in which he criticized his plan and asked him to admit that Kosovo can and should go beyond his plan.

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