Washington, December 1st 2018 – President of the Republic of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi, on the last day of his official visit to the USA, held a public lecture at the “Atlantic Council” in Washington, where he spoke about engagements undertaken towards the achievement of a peaceful agreement with Serbia, in order to establish sustainable peace in western Balkans.
President Thaçi said that even though has always been ready and has been continuously asking for peace, from Rambouillet to Vienna, Serbia has never agreed to make peace with Kosovo.
But now, according to President Thaçi, due to international pressure, Serbia too is ready for a peaceful, comprehensive agreement with Kosovo.
On the other hand, he said, that Kosovo has learned from the past that there is no agreement without compromise, and it has also learned that if it cooperates with its international partners, with the United States of America, compromise has brought to realisations of aspirations of the people of Kosovo.
“If you ask why are we asking for a peaceful agreement now, I say to you that now is the momentum when Serbia is also ready for such an agreement”, said Presdient Thaçi.
“The agreement seems distant as yet, almost impossible”, said President Thaçi and added that “despite all I am an optimist and that it can be achieved”.
Knowing that the audience is interested to know about the other issue between Kosovo and Serbia, President Thaçi said that issue of determination of the border between Kosovo and Serbia is only one of the points of of the comprehensive agreement.
“The comprehensive agreement with conclude all the open issues between Kosovo and Serbia, from the issues of missing persons and refugees all the way to the property and community rights of communities”, said the President.
Speaking in relation to benefits which the agreement would bring, President Thaçi said that there are three important benefits of this peaceful agreement.
“Serbia will be recognising Kosovo. Kosovo will become a UN member state and the European perspective of both countries and for the region will strengthen”, said President Thaçi, and added that “EU has made it clear to us at the Sofia Summit that it will not accept western Balkans in its midst, for as long as the western Balkan countries do not close all the outstanding open issues between them”.
But, EU and USA will also be benefiting from the peaceful agreement, added President Thaçi.
“Process will continue to be lead by the EU, but with the full and strong support of the United States.
“The right momentum for a peaceful agreement has been established. Let us utilize this opportunity”, said President Thaçi at his address to the “Atlantic Council” in Washington.
President of the Republic of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi, later answered the questions presented by participants, who wanted to hear in more detail about the Kosovo –Serbia border issue and added that “there will be no exchange of territories or division of Kosovo”.
“There will be no border along ethnic lines or exchange of population”, added President Thaçi.
In relation to the tensions between the two countries, President Thaçi said that these tensions confirm once again the need to achieve a peaceful agreement as soon as it is possible and to end the “century’s long conflict between Kosovo and Serbia”.
“Let us not deal with the past but let us look to the future. We shall not forget the past but will endeavour for a peaceful future and for prosperity of coming generations” ended President Thaçi.