Prishtina, February 20 – The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi, took part today at the Summit of the Committees on Foreign Affairs which is taking place in Prishtina.
Before many MPs of the Parliaments of different European countries, President Thaçi said that he feels proud to represent the most pro-European population in the region and the most pro-American in Europe.
The President informed them about the consultations on the establishment of the Commission for Truth and Reconciliation within the communities in Kosovo, about the dialogue in Brussels and the meetings held in Munich.
The message of the US Vice President at the Munich Conference was encouraging, that the US will continue to be the safest ally of Europe, that the US will guard NATO, but also the other members of NATO to fulfill their obligations”, added Thaçi.
Afterwards, President Thaçi has made a balance of the ninth anniversary of the declaration of Kosovo’s independence, saying that so far Kosovo is recognized by 113 countries.
According to him, in these nine years the most advanced laws in the region have been compiled, the police has been developed in cooperation with the international community, the trend of the economic development has been preserved and communities have been integrated in the state institutions.
“We have built a professional, multi-ethnic Security Force, prepared according to NATO standards. We have been uncompromising in the fight against radicalism, extremism and terrorism threats. We have clearly defined that our future is in NATO and the EU”, he said.
President Thaçi said that it is true that today there is a lot of skepticism in the European Union project.
According to him, sometimes rightfully, since the EU threatens to turn into a bureaucratic institution which is moving away from the citizen.
“Sometimes one gets the impression that the EU has no leadership and vision for expansion in the Western Balkans. But, no one can deny that the EU project has succeeded in its fundamental mission, to preserve peace in its member countries. Therefore, Kosovo, but also the Western Balkans region aspire membership into the EU and NATO. These will be the foundations of peace and security in our region”, he added.
President Thaçi has also spoken about the political and economic cooperation between the countries of the region and with the European Union as well.
He has said that political barriers cannot be overcome, there cannot be real integration and cooperation if we see each other as a threat and as enemies.
“We cannot build a better future, in peace and stability if we continue to see each other as opponents. It’s time to build another narrative, to use another vocabulary to describe each other, seeing in each other a neighbor, a coworker, a fellow citizen”, said President Thaçi.
The President has said that an important role in the change of opinions and attitudes in countries of the region and of the continent has been played by MPs as well, especially the Committees on Foreign Affairs.
According to him, MPs have been the ones to break the ice officially in the lack of communication between Kosovo and the EU member states which have still not recognized Kosovo.
“Therefore, you have the power to change the discourse, attitudes, political decisions with impact on the entire local public opinion. Forums like this one today are moments when we exchange information and policies about how to integrate the region better and make it a part of international organizations that will promote peace, stability and prosperity”, added in the end President Thaçi.