Friday, May 6th, 2016 – President of the Republic of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi, hostey today about fourty members of the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP), with whom he discussed the achievements and challenges lying that lie ahead of Kosovo.
President Thaçi said that Kosovo has already established itself as a state and it is also strengthening its international subjectivity, adding that enhancing the security component is indispensable to ensure the achievements of the country.
“Kosovo Security Force, in cooperation with NATO, is poised to become the Army of Kosovo. As president, I will engage to reach political consensus to establish the Armed Forces of Kosovo at the earliest opportunity and to join NATO’s Partnership for Peace programme”, President Thaçi said.
He added that Kosovo is proving its maturity also in the dialogue with its neighbors and beyond.
“I have supported dialogue with Serbia as the only way to peace and stability in the region. We have concluded demarcation with other neighbors. We are building roads and highways that will bring us closer even more, for a better cooperation and communication. There is no doubt that Kosovo has made great progress in the eight years as a state” President Thaçi stressed.
“The recommendation for visa liberalization and membership in the UEFA are the latest indicators of the success of the state of Kosovo”, he added.
Before the members of the German Council on Foreign Relations, among whom were former ambassadors, university professors, publicists, representatives of civil society and journalists, President Thaçi spoke about the fight against radicalism and extremism.
“Kosovo is a leader in the region in combating radicalism and extremism. We have taken concrete steps and we will remain uncompromising in fighting this threat to the whole world”, President Thaçi said.
The German Council on Foreign Relations is the largest foreign policy network in Germany.
In the past sixty years, as an independent, nonpartisan and nonprofit organization, it has continued to promote public debate on foreign policy and it has over 2,500 active members.