YouSaid · the spoken record

Citaku

lines on the record: 330
first: 2010-11-12
most recent: 2019-10-31
sittings or episodes: 17
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“While we have taken note of the concerns expressed by Special Representative Zannier regarding the position of United Nations administration in Mitrovica, we would like to remind everyone that Kosovo taxpayers, through the Government of Kosovo, currently pay well over 50 per cent of the entire United Nations operational budget in Mitrovica, contributing greatly to the United Nations presence on the ground and acting as an important supporting pillar. We are also insistent that the current status-neutral position of the United Nations means exactly what it says - that the United Nations does not exclude the right of Kosovo to be called and recognized as a State. Sometimes, this point is not clear on the ground. I have an appeal to make to the Republic of Serbia today.”
2011-02-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6483 (2011) · source
“They are now using these rights in all of Kosovo, except in northern Mitrovica, where the political landscape has become a hostage to parallel structures that are involved, as is widely known and recognized, in crime and smuggling. According to United Nations estimates, we are losing at least â‚¬40 million annually due to illegal smuggling across border crossings 31 and 1. We expect Serbia to honour its pledge to fight crime and corruption by assisting EULEX and the Government of Kosovo in re-establishing the same principle of integrated tax collection operations in effect at Kosovo's other border points with Serbia and its neighbours.”
2011-02-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6483 (2011) · source
“Special provisions and additional questionnaires have been developed with the help of Eurostat to account for Kosovar refugees from all communities who no longer reside in Kosovo. We urge the international community to call for the full participation of the Serb community in the process. This is especially important in northern Mitrovica, where we need to see legal and authoritative bodies emerge out of democratic processes, with institutions that operate within the framework of the Kosovo Government. 10 Back in 2005, during months of talks in Vienna, good will provided unprecedented local authority for the Serb minority.”
2011-02-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6483 (2011) · source
“The success of decentralization and the acceptance by the majority community of the constitutional mechanisms that protect minorities represent a success that cannot be disputed. New municipalities have been established and, with the help of the international community, are being equipped to serve their inhabitants with the newly decentralized powers. The Republic of Kosovo is in the process of organizing the first population census since 1981, with the help of the international community and the support of Eurostat. The census will take place in April. It is fundamentally important that we see the positive trend of Serb participation in local institutions continue and become active in the forthcoming census.”
2011-02-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6483 (2011) · source
“The same clear, firm and unambiguous stance has been expressed by the Government of Albania. With regard to the integration of minorities into Kosovo's society and institutions, we are happy to report significant progress during the reporting period. A substantial number of Serb voters participated in the national elections. There was, for the first time, a much higher participation of the Serb community in elections organized by the Kosovo authorities than in those organized by the Serb illegal structures. The Serbs won over 10 per cent of all parliamentary seats, becoming an essential part of the Government. The minority communities won 25 seats, or over 20 per cent of the seats in Parliament. For the first time in Kosovo's young democratic history, a Serb politician will soon become a Deputy Prime Minister.”
2011-02-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6483 (2011) · source
“EULEX, entrusted by the United Nations and the EU to support the local judicial system, has the expertise, the resources, the prosecutors and the judges to thoroughly investigate the allegations put forth. We will give it our full cooperation. But no mistake should be made and no confusion should be tolerated. The war in Kosovo did not happen centuries ago. It happened 11 years ago, before the eyes of the whole world. No report can change or reconstruct artificially a well-known and clearly documented situation between oppressor and oppressed. Blurring that distinction does not correspond to reality; it does not help truth; it does not serve the process of justice and reconciliation. The people of Kosovo, more than anyone, need and demand investigations since we have nothing to hide.”
2011-02-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6483 (2011) · source
“They have already been subject to international investigation, in particular by the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY), the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo and, most recently, by the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX). We welcome the input of international experts, such as recent statements by former ICTY Chief Prosecutor Sir Geoffrey Nice, that question the legal arguments put forth by Mr. Marty. That being said, the Government of Kosovo wishes to reaffirm its official stance that, in the light of the severity of the allegations, it will insist on a prompt launch of a thorough investigation by EULEX prosecutors on the ground.”
2011-02-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6483 (2011) · source
“The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe recently approved a report written by a Swiss parliamentarian, Mr. Dick Marty, alleging that senior political leaders of Kosovo - but not only of Kosovo - had engaged in organ harvesting. Free with its imagination but failing to provide any proof whatsoever, the Marty report further claims that senior NATO, European Union (EU) member States and United States officials had knowledge of and tolerated this alleged wrongdoing. Appalled, the Government of Kosovo has clearly and firmly rejected the allegations in Mr. Marty's report. Besides profoundly hurting the feelings of every Kosovar, the report has also, regrettably, harmed our international reputation. It is worth recalling that the allegations in the report are not new.”
2011-02-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6483 (2011) · source
“Above all, it should be stressed that the citizens of Kosovo are firmly establishing themselves as an energetic, stable and forward-looking society where individual freedoms are respected and institutions function in the interest of all the citizens of Kosovo, irrespective of their ethnic or religious background. ll-23603 At the end of the process, all political parties in Kosovo have accepted the final results. Yesterday, an agreement to form a new Government was reached among several political parties, including representatives of the minorities, providing the institutions of Kosovo with full political and legal clout. Another issue was current in the media during the reporting period, which I would like to address clearly.”
2011-02-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6483 (2011) · source
“It is of paramount importance to point out that throughout the entire process, the system functioned: the state delivered its services and the appropriate budgetary procedures of a caretaker government were strictly observed. We political representatives and leaders of Kosovo have very attentively listened to and taken due note of all critiques and suggestions made by our friends and partner regarding the electoral process. This represents an important moment of thoughtful reflection in our endeavours to strengthen our institutions and democracy.”
2011-02-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6483 (2011) · source
“Notwithstanding attacks against election officials in the north of Kosovo, international monitors reported a calm and remarkably peaceful campaign and voting day. Furthermore, over 200 complaints were submitted to elections bodies by all political parties and civil society organizations, and those were addressed in record time. Revotes were ordered in several municipalities, including a manual recounting of suspected ballot boxes where needed. All procedural and legal steps were lawfully followed and respected, in a system of checks and balances, in order to make sure that complaints were properly addressed and the will of the people respected.”
2011-02-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6483 (2011) · source
“Therefore it is easy to understand how we Kosovars were suffering in those years and how we feel nowadays. I am speaking here on behalf of the Kosovo government, as we have always done here, in an open, frank and transparent way. We have experienced challenging times during the last couple of months. As you may recall, the Constitutional Court of Kosovo ruled that the former president, Mr. Fatmir Sejdiu, was in breach of the country's Constitution, which made him promptly resign, in full respect of the procedures in place. This development affected the political equilibrium and led to early elections. Candidates for ministers of Parliament engaged in a lively electoral campaign, sometimes at the edge of fair play.”
2011-02-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6483 (2011) · source
“We should never forget that Milosevic first began his campaign of terror in Kosovo in 1989, and it is in Kosovo that he ended, in the most tragic way imaginable, his plan for a greater Serbia, taking the lives of thousands of innocent people. This is now an established historical fact, as the world has witnessed and as finally documented in the verdicts of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia in The Hague, making us, the people of Kosovo, the subject of quintessentially unjust rule for decades. All oppressed people and nations around the globe know what the feeling of liberation, freedom and 11-23603 dignity is. Just to mention one prominent and exemplary case, the people of South Africa know what the feeling of freedom is, after apartheid.”
2011-02-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6483 (2011) · source
“Since that day, three years ago, the Kosovo Government has implemented the critical provisions of the Ahtisaari Plan, the comprehensive proposal of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General, in full accordance with the established international law and Security Council resolutions, as was determined by the landmark advisory opinion on the legality of Kosovo's declaration of independence, issued in July 2010 by the International Court of Justice at the request of Serbia. This was a giant final step in the long and torturous process of defining Kosovo's final status, and it came not a moment too soon, for it has not been easy at all to be living in Kosovo in the last few decades.”
2011-02-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6483 (2011) · source
“I thank the members of the Council, the Secretary-General of the Organization and all his successive Special Representatives, including Mr. Lamberto Zannier, for the role they have played in helping our region achieve long-lasting peace by strengthening the democratic and multiethnic institutions of a free and democratic Kosovo. It is a suitable moment to remind ourselves where we are today, three years after the democratically elected representatives of the people of Kosovo came together to fulfil the will of the people and declare independence.”
2011-02-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6483 (2011) · source
“Mrs. Citaku: Let me initially express gratitude to the Council for giving me the opportunity to inform the Council firsthand about developments in the last three months in the Republic of Kosovo, as well as provide the Council with the observations of the government of the Republic of Kosovo regarding 8 current political developments. I wish to congratulate, in alphabetical order, the new Security Council members: Colombia, Germany, India, Portugal and South Africa. I am addressing the Council today in this very distinguished room, where history has unfolded and where nations are protected, on the eve of the third anniversary of the declaration of independence of Kosovo, an event that marked the birth of a new country in the European continent.”
2011-02-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6483 (2011) · source
“Enormous challenges remain for young generations of Kosovars and Serbs in the years ahead and many issues will have to be resolved through dialogue, but I believe that I am not the only one who acknowledges that after the Vienna process, the Ahtisaari proposal, the International Court of Justice opinion and the General Assembly resolution, we are finally ready to move on.”
2010-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6422 (2010) · source
“Let me conclude my remarks with the plea of 19-year-old Majlinda Kelmendi, who is the most honoured sportswoman of Kosovo today. She has won European and world championships in judo, one of the few Olympic sports that recognize her right to compete as a Kosovar. Unfortunately, even after more than 20 years, Kosovo's young athletes and artists remain isolated from such international activities. It is of great importance that Majlinda and other young Kosovars have the same opportunities as their friends throughout the world.”
2010-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6422 (2010) · source
“We are ready to talk about missing persons from the war, cooperation against crime and corruption, mutual recognition of documents and phone networks, rail lines, airspace and every other issue of mutual interest to and shared benefit for our citizens, our societies and our countries. But let me be clear. We will not talk - ever again - about Kosovo's right to exist as a free nation after everything that has happened in the past. The independence of Kosovo is not and will not be an issue for discussion. Hence, following a round of discussions with the European Union and other partners, we are preparing our teams and agenda for talks with the Republic of Serbia, with the facilitation of the EU. We welcome the readiness of the United States to contribute to this process.”
2010-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6422 (2010) · source
“As a result, the General Assembly adopted resolution 64/298, welcoming with respect the opinion of the Court. It also welcomes the readiness of the EU to facilitate a dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade. I am confirming yet again that our Government was very pleased with the outcome of that General Assembly debate. The resolution gives us a platform to start a technical dialogue with Serbia on issues of importance for the well-being of communities and for regional cooperation. The Government of the Republic of Kosovo and the principal international sponsors of the resolution have made it clear that the dialogue is about the future and not the past. We will not return to closed chapters of history.”
2010-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6422 (2010) · source
“While we regret the incidents that have occurred in some locations, we will respectfully point out that these isolated incidents have been mostly of a non-ethnic nature. The most important development that strengthened our young country unfolded here in New York. After the International Court of Justice issued an opinion on the 1ega1ity of Kosovo's declaration of independence, in September we regretfully witnessed another Serbian attempt in the General Assembly to call for negotiations on the status of Kosovo. Considering that Kosovo's independence and borders cannot be subject to any negotiation and that such a controversial proposal would undermine the progress achieved so far, the international community mobilized in an unprecedented manner and called on Serbia to change its policy.”
2010-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6422 (2010) · source
“Again, I would like to emphasize that the active participation of the Serb minority in the upcoming elections will be crucial for them, as it will ensure further integration, which will translate into more opportunities, stronger representation and increased living standards. Religious freedoms and dialogue have been further strengthened, and the best examples of this are the successful organization of the enthronement of the Serbian Patriarch in the territory of the Republic of Kosovo, the opening of a new Catholic cathedral in central Pristina, and the increased efforts to improve communication among a11 communities and religions. The Kosovo Police have done a great job in securing Kosovo's religious sites following the departure of the International Security Force in Kosovo.”
2010-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6422 (2010) · source
“This policy not only hampers student exchanges, family visits, normal trade and business relations, but also prevents and delays the reconciliation process among our peoples. We are also glad to report positive progress in terms of the return process. By the end of this year, we expect a record 1,300 returnees, a process facilitated greatly by our Government jointly with United Nations agencies and donors. We are aware that more needs to be done, and we are fully committed to successfully completing this process. But while we continue to maintain a welcoming policy for all Kosovo citizens who want to return to their homes, we wish to remind the Council that, if we are to achieve tangible progress, we need the support of our partners in Belgrade.”
2010-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6422 (2010) · source
“While local constitutional and political developments have occupied the minds of local and international actors, as well as the agenda of our State institutions, other positive developments have been recorded in regard to the process of the formal recognition of Kosovo's independence. Seventy-one countries have now recognized Kosovo, and over 100 Members of the United Nations are now recognizing Kosovo's documents. However, we regret that the Government of Serbia completely ignores and does not recognize any document issued by the Republic of Kosovo. Our license plates, customs stamps, passports, school diplomas and bank statements are recognized by the entire European Union (EU), and even by those countries that have not yet formally recognized our independence, but are not recognized by Serbia.”
2010-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6422 (2010) · source
“It is with great regret that I report that, over the past three months, there have been more than five armed attacks in the North of Kosovo against Kosovar Serbs who had decided to participate in Kosovo's public and political life. We have noted that these developments still go unreported in Serbia. Having said that, we are proud to report that Kosovo Serbs and other minorities have now submitted over 20 electoral lists for the upcoming elections, and we are pleased that members of civil society, as well as several parliamentary parties in Serbia, are asking for a change of the Serbian Government policy to boycott everything representing the Republic of Kosovo, even after the International Court of Justice concluded that Kosovo's declaration of independence did not violate international law.”
2010-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6422 (2010) · source
“This is more imperative in the view of the forthcoming parliamentary elections. Therefore, we consider that this is the best time for the international community to reaffirm its commitment to the stability of Kosovo by calling on Kosovar Serbs to participate in forthcoming elections and on the Serbian Government not to obstruct their participation in the elections. New Serbian municipalities in Kosovo recorded the participation of over 50 per cent of local Serbs in the most recent local elections. Regrettably, the same does not hold true for the North of Kosovo, where the influence of Belgrade is still preventing the process of integration into Kosovo's public and institutional life.”
2010-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6422 (2010) · source
“Throughout this period, the Constitution and parliamentary rules and procedures were strictly followed and observed. Kosovo is a multi-ethnic society and its Government remains fully committed to the greater social, political and economic inclusion of minorities in the mainstream of Kosovo society. In our most recent address to the Council (see S/PV.6367), we reported that all minorities, including Kosovar Serbs, have taken an increased interest in participating in democratic processes and local elections. We are in the process of completing the entire decentralization plan of President Ahtisaari, which guarantees unprecedented legal protection and affirmative rights to minorities. All minorities, including Kosovar Serbs, enjoy direct and undisputed benefits by participating in the democratic life of the State they live in.”
2010-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6422 (2010) · source
“In September, the Constitutional Court of Kosovo ruled that the President of the Republic could not exercise the function of President of Kosovo while maintaining the leadership of his political party. President Sejdiu, in honouring the decision of the Court, resigned. Following a vote of no-confidence, Parliament was dissolved and extraordinary elections are scheduled for 12 December. As on previous occasions, the December elections will be fair and free, and will reflect the will of Kosovo's citizens. The Government has called for and welcomes international observers for these elections. The recent political developments in the Republic of Kosovo proved yet again the political maturity of our established democratic system.”
2010-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6422 (2010) · source
“After the atrocities committed by the regime of Slobodan Milosevic in Bosnia, Croatia and Kosovo, the independence of the Republic of Kosovo has brought lasting peace and stability and a brought the new European integration agenda to the forefront. Today in the Balkans, all States are governed by democratically elected Governments, yet we all face similar transitional challenges and support is still needed to help us overcome the last obstacles to becoming full members of the European Union. I am particularly pleased to address the Security Council at a time when developments in the Republic of Kosovo reflect the significant progress achieved in building strong democratic institutions and sound constitutional framework.”
2010-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6422 (2010) · source
“Mrs. Citaku: It is an honour for me to address the Council during a period of paramount importance for the establishment of long-term prospects for peace and prosperity not only in the Republic of Kosovo, but also in the rest of the Balkans. I wish to thank the Secretary-General and his Special Representative, Mr. Lamberto Zannier, for their efforts deployed in Kosovo during the period under review. These efforts, in the context of broader assistance from the International community, have contributed to stabilizing our region after the dreadful wars of the 1990s and to building democratic institutions in Kosovo. We continue to pledge our unreserved support to all efforts to build peace and security in the Western Balkans, and we are happy to report that these continued efforts of the international community have been brought to fruition.”
2010-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6422 (2010) · source