Opinion
Kosovo among free nations
By Hashim Thaci
Kosovo just celebrated Independence Day on 17 February - a day that is deeply rooted in the memory of all of Kosovo's citizens and a day that will be forever engrained in the history of our country. The Republic of Kosovo, on this Independence Day, is a more consolidated country, with stable and effective institutions, good governance, the rule of law and order and affirmative respect - according to the unprecedented standards set forth in our Constitution - for our communities.
Kosovo is recognised by 65 countries: Last year, our country became a full member of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank and we are working towards soon being a member of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. So, 2009 was a year of many firsts for Kosovo: For the first time, Kosovo received a clear European perspective - a perspective for visa liberalisation, trade relations with the EU and a dialogue for Stabilisation Association.
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Kosovo advanced its bilateral relations to the diplomatic level with nearly all of its neighboring countries, including Albania, Macedonia and Montenegro and with the exception of Serbia. Independent Kosovo organized its first elections: These were local elections in which Kosovo's people, Albanians, Serbs, and other communities, voted for their legitimate local leaders. The local elections were highly regarded both domestically and internationally, and they were considered free, fair and democratic.
Kosovo recently presented its opinion before the International Court of Justice, affirming the right of its people for independence and a sovereign country. The institutions of Kosovo now await the advisory opinion of the ICJ, knowing that justice is on our side, the independence of Kosovo is irreversible, Kosovo is a sui-generis case and that the significant progress of peace, stability and co-operation in the region, as a result of Kosovo's independence, is also irreversible.
This year, 17 February was a celebration of consolidation and stability in the security sector. Nato decided to downsize its presence in Kosovo, and this is a result of increased stability. Kfor remains a strong source of peace and stability in Kosovo and the Kosovo Security Force, with its development in line with Nato standards, is advancing towards its natural role as the defense force of our independent country. Thanks to Nato, Kosovo is becoming ready to lead its national security and play its role towards worldwide peace and stability.
Kosovo's international subjectivity was strengthened during the last year, through making Kosovo's foreign embassies functional and nominating Kosovo's ambassadors and diplomatic and consular staff. As a result, our country deepened its ties with countries that recognised us and we advanced our efforts in lobbying for international recognition. I would like to take this opportunity, as the Prime Minister, to call on all countries that are yet to do so, to recognise the independence of Kosovo. Recognising Kosovo is not an act against Serbia or any other country, it is not a precedent; Rather, it is an act in favor of the will of the people of Kosovo, in favor of everlasting peace and stability in the Balkan region.
Kosovo is aware that Serbia has a different opinion. Kosovo is aware that Serbia has ongoing strategies for obstructing Kosovo's independence, be it in Kosovo's representation abroad or through compromising Kosovo's sovereignty within its country, by financing and supporting the creation of parallel structures. With that said, Kosovo, for the sake of the regional European perspective, still has goodwill for co-operation with Serbia on issues of mutual interest. Kosovo is in favour of good neighborly relations with Serbia - bilateral state relations and nothing less.
Kosovo and Serbia are both pursuing European integration and it is my firm belief that Europe cannot engulf the lingering disputes of potential new member states. Therefore, Kosovo will be responsible and Serbia must be responsible - Serbia should not undermine EU standards and values in its relations with Kosovo and it must be held accountable for jeopardising the European perspective, and the significant EU investment in this perspective, of the Western Balkans.
On the other hand, EU foreign and security policy should be more dynamic vis-a-vis the Western Balkans in order to accelerate EU membership of the remaining countries. The sooner, the better. EU cannot afford to fail once more in Balkans because the consequences could once again be tragic.
The Republic of Kosovo's objectives and priorities going forward are going to be a united, state determination for the economic development and Euro-Atlantic integration of our country.
On this anniversary, just as in every other, we stop, look to the past, and honour those who sacrificed everything for the freedom of our country - Kosovo's martyrs. Independence Day is the coronation of their journey, and of the long journey of our people, for freedom and independence. Today, we think about the future, we think about our young Europeans, and how we must work relentlessly for them to be equal citizens of the European Union.
The writer is Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo
Disclaimer
The views expressed in this opinion piece are the author's, not those of EUobserver.