YouSaid · the spoken record

Hoxhaj

lines on the record: 190
first: 2011-05-12
most recent: 2014-08-29
sittings or episodes: 8
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

“In that context, let me quote the EU enlargement strategy 2012-2013, which says: "[a] visible and sustainable improvement in relations between Serbia and Kosovo is needed so that both can continue on their respective paths towards the EU, while avoiding that either can block the other in these efforts. "This process should gradually result in the full normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo with the prospect of both able to fully exercise their rights and fulfil their responsibilities within the EU." Let me recall the promising outcome of that process. On 19 October and 7 November, there were two important meetings between the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Mr. Hashim Thaci, and the Prime Minister of Serbia, Mr. Ivica Daeic'.”
2012-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6872 (2012) · source
“The dialogue aims to solve problems between the two independent and sovereign States in the interest of normalizing relations, improving the lives of people and advancing the European agenda for both States and the region as a whole. The process has been endorsed by the Parliament of Kosovo, which adopted a resolution on the normalization of relations with Serbia. As stated further by that resolution, the dialogue and its outcome must be in compliance with Kosovo's sovereignty, territorial integrity, international personality and Constitution. For us, the dialogue is a democratic value, recognizing that neither threats nor violence can solve problems. That process is also a criterion resulting from the European agenda for both countries.”
2012-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6872 (2012) · source
“That process is facilitated by the European Union and supported by the United States. In that context, the beginning of dialogue was followed by high-level visits to Pristina by the British Foreign Secretary, Mr. Hague, the United States Secretary of State, Mrs. Clinton, and the European Union High Representative, Baroness Ashton. Kosovo and Serbia have a long, difficult past. The people of Kosovo have bitter memories due to decades of oppression, apartheid, the war and then ethnic cleansing. However, it is in our common interest to close that dark chapter of history. As two independent nations we are responsible for our future, and as neighbours we are destined to share our fate.”
2012-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6872 (2012) · source
“A recent example of that problem is the ethnically motivated incident at Kroi i Vitakut in the northern part of Mitrovica, where the illegal Serbian structures are opposing the return of Kosovo Albanians to their homes. We condemn that provocation and are determined to reconstruct the destroyed and burned houses. If that situation continues, it will have a negative impact on Kosovo's stability and development. Therefore, we remain committed to resolving the situation in the three northern municipalities. There is a need for an integrated system of life in that part of Kosovo, in accordance with the Martti Ahtisaari Plan. Allow me to inform the Council about the official commencement of a dialogue on the normalization of relations between the Republic of Kosovo and the Republic of Serbia.”
2012-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6872 (2012) · source
“However, I need to again draw to the Council's attention to the fact that the situation in the three northern municipalities of Kosovo remains tense and challenging, as confirmed by the report of the Secretary-General (S/2012/818). In full violation of resolution 1244 (1999) and international norms, Serbia is leading, controlling and financing illegal police and paramilitary units in that part of Kosovo. That situation has to stop. Again, I call upon Serbia to dismantle those illegal structures. They represent a grave threat to stability, not only to Kosovo but to the region. They are intended to hamper the governance of our State, to destabilize Kosovo and to create ethnic division in our communities.”
2012-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6872 (2012) · source
“The study emphasizes that Kosovo should pay particular attention to the rule of law, public administration, the protection of minorities and trade. The European Commission also stated that the EU and Kosovo could have a formal political dialogue in order to discuss regional and international issues. That demonstrates that Kosovo is a factor of peace and stability, both regionally and internationally. It also underscores the deep concern that Serbia continues to fund and maintain its illegal structures, such as security and police structures, which are a direct threat to peace and security in the three northern municipalities of Kosovo. Let me reiterate that our Government and citizens are very committed to peace, stability and security within Kosovo and in the region.”
2012-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6872 (2012) · source
“I take this opportunity to thank those countries for their decisions. We continue to establish full diplomatic relations with Member countries of the United Nations. To date, Kosovo has signed more than 100 international agreements, both bilateral and multilateral. This past October, the European Commission, through a feasibility study, confirmed that Kosovo was ready to start official negotiations on a stabilization and association agreement. That will constitute the first step towards membership in the European Union (EU) and will bind the European Union and Kosovo together. I would like to highlight two important aspects of the feasibility study. First, it confirms that the EU will establish contractual relations with Kosovo and, secondly, it confirms that Kosovo has established its international position.”
2012-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6872 (2012) · source
“On 16 November, the membership of the Republic of Kosovo in the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) was accepted by the Board of Governors. That will allow Kosovo to obtain new sources of development funding and will contribute to the promotion of socioeconomic development, particularly in important sectors such as energy. Membership in the EBRD will help Kosovo address the challenges of economic growth. Kosovo will be an equal shareholder with the 65 other members of that important financial institution. Furthermore, over the reporting period, the number of international recognitions of the Republic of Kosovo, in geographical terms, continued to rise and proved to be an unstoppable development. During that period, the Republic of Kosovo was recognized by Papua New Guinea, Burundi, Timor-Leste and Fiji.”
2012-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6872 (2012) · source
“That development is occurring while many countries are coping with financial challenges and are making significant cuts in public sector salaries and pensions. In the meantime, the World Bank's Doing Business 2013 has ranked Kosovo 28 places higher than in 2012, marking the most successful progress of any country of the Western Balkans. That progress is a result of long-term reforms by the Government of the Republic of Kosovo to improve the business environment. The progress has been acknowledged by the World Bank Director for South East Europe, who emphasized "the fact that Kosovo managed to exit eurozone crises with much better public finances and with a higher rate of increase than neighbouring countries is evidence of the strong management by the Government of Kosovo".”
2012-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6872 (2012) · source
“In fact, the Parliament of Kosovo ratified an agreement that extended the mandate of EULEX for another two years, until 2014. The agreement was reached through an exchange of letters between the President of Kosovo, Ms. Atifete J ahj aga, and EU High Representative Catherine Ashton. That act is important for two reasons: first, it created the domestic legal bases for the EULEX presence in Kosovo and, secondly, it established a formal mutual agreement between the European Union and Kosovo. In terms of economic development, Kosovo has maintained its macro financial stability in close coordination with the International Monetary Fund. In October, the Government decided to increase the funding for pensions from 33 per cent to 40 per cent.”
2012-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6872 (2012) · source
“The end of supervised independence makes us aware of our increased responsibilities to demonstrate our commitment and to address the needs of our society. The most important supervisors of independence remain the people of Kosovo. It is their suffering, their patience and their support that has led us to where we are today. Kosovo is very committed to the rule of law as a basic precondition for democratic governance and economic development. We have made significant progress in the past months in the fight against corruption and organized crime. That was as a result of good cooperation between Kosovo's institutions and the European Union Rule of Law Mission (EULEX). As a sovereign State, Kosovo has invited EULEX to support its justice system.”
2012-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6872 (2012) · source
“Today, we are proud that Kosovo is maintaining its multiethnic character, as it has throughout history, by protecting, promoting and upholding the principles of multiethnicity and secularism. The spirit that has governed the Ahtisaari Plan will continue ahead. We have ended an international mission with a political mandate as a result of exercising the full extent of our sovereignty. At the same time, we remain committed to working closely with international technical missions to further enhance the progress of our country. The end of Kosovo's supervision proves that our country is a success story. In less than five years, with the closing of the international mission, Kosovo is confirmed to be a unique achievement in the history of State-building.”
2012-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6872 (2012) · source
“As highlighted in the formal conclusion of the International Steering Group, the decision by members of the Parliament of Kosovo from all ethnic communities demonstrated that we were a functioning multiethnic independent State - a core value of our society. This new phase of Kosovo's statehood emerged as a result of the close partnership over the past four years among our institutions and our international partners. Throughout that period, we were able to provide stability, build key State institutions and enhance fundamental development as a modern and multiethnic country. Kosovo is a country made up of the diverse communities who live there and have lived there for generations.”
2012-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6872 (2012) · source
“On 10 September, the International Steering Group decided to end the supervised independence of Kosovo and to end the mandate of the International Civilian Office. That consensual decision by all 25 member States, including 20 European Union member States as well as Turkey, Croatia, Norway, Switzerland and the United States, closed the chapter of Kosovo's supervision forever and we entered a new phase as a fully sovereign nation. That decision came after the Parliament of Kosovo approved constitutional amendments on the 7 September that removed references to the Status Settlement produced by the two- year United Nations-led negotiation process from 2005 to 2007, mediated by the Secretary-General's Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari. That was a major milestone for the Constitution of Kosovo as the fundamental legal framework in the country.”
2012-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6872 (2012) · source
“Mr. Hoxhaj: It is my pleasure to address the Council today regarding the latest significant developments in the Republic of Kosovo during the past three months. Let me, at the outset, thank Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for his continued efforts for peace, stability and democracy in my country and in the region. During the past few months, we have witnessed incredible progress in Kosovo. The year 2012 has been a historic one for our country and our citizens. Due to limited time at this meeting, I will focus my comments on key developments, including the end of international supervised independence, the establishment of contractual relations with the European Union (EU), and the new phase of bilateral relations between the Republic of Kosovo and the Republic of Serbia.”
2012-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6872 (2012) · source
“We call upon Serbia to withdraw its illegal police and security structures, to start implementing fully and in good faith the agreements reached in the technical dialogue, and to behave in accordance with the European principles of cooperation and good-neighbourly relations.”
2012-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6769 (2012) · source
“However, the launching of the feasibility study for the stabilization and association agreement confirms the start of the process of establishing contractual relations between Kosovo and the European Union. Let me conclude by saying that the main goal of Kosovo's institutions and its people is integration into the Euro-Atlantic institutions. We are committed to good-neighbourly relations, and we are working hard to implement the required reforms for membership. We believe that dialogue is a democratic value. Neither threats nor violence can solve mutual issues between Kosovo and Serbia. We will never compromise the independence, sovereignty and functionality of our State.”
2012-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6769 (2012) · source
“In the current reporting period, there was another very important development for Kosovo's relations with the European Union. The European Union has confirmed that Kosovo has a clear European perspective. However, agreements reached in the bilateral talks between Kosovo and Serbia have paved the way for our country to follow the same European path as other countries in the Balkans. The European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, Stefan Fiile, announced the launching of a feasibility study for a stabilization and association agreement between Kosovo and the European Union during his visit to Kosovo on 27 March. We are aware that the overall process will require some time and a lot of reforms in some key areas, such as the rule of law, public administration, trade and market economy.”
2012-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6769 (2012) · source
“Furthermore, Serbia still maintains illegal security, police and criminal structures in the territory of Kosovo, which are in gross violation of the very spirit of the European Union and a threat to regional and international peace and stability. Over the past three months, we have seen two faces of Serbia - the Serbia that behaves as a pro-European country in relation to Brussels, and the Serbia that behaves in an anti-European way in relation to Kosovo and to the region. My final point today is on Kosovo-European Union relations. This year began with the visit of European Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmstrom to Kosovo, marking the beginning of the visa liberalization dialogue. The road map is expected soon. Kosovo's institutions have made significant progress in fulfilling the criteria for visa-free travel of our citizens.”
2012-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6769 (2012) · source
“These have been directly impacted by the road blocks in the northern municipalities and by the systematic arrest of Kosovo citizens by the Serbian authorities. In the past two months, more than 10 Kosovo citizens who were passing through Serbia on the way in or out of Kosovo were arrested without any reason and then released. Kosovo has approached the dialogue in good faith and played a very constructive role in reaching and implementing agreements. The European Council decided on 2 March to grant Serbia the status of candidate country as a result of the agreements reached in the technical dialogue. But we deeply regret that Serbia has not shown the same good faith approach in implementing the agreements.”
2012-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6769 (2012) · source
“Agreements are worthless if they remain only on paper and are not implemented on the ground, and most of these have not been implemented at all. For example, Serbia has not signed and ratified the technical protocol on the implementation of the integrated border management agreement due to the fact that it still believes that the partition of northern Kosovo is an option. On the other hand, Serbia has accepted an agreement on Kosovo's representation in regional forums, but has boycotted meetings at which Kosovo has been present and insisted on obligations not foreseen in that agreement. Some agreements have been only partially implemented, such as those on the freedom of movement and on free trade.”
2012-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6769 (2012) · source
“On 24 February, an agreement was reached on Kosovo's regional representation and cooperation. Based on this agreement, Kosovo will now participate on its own account and will speak for itself at all regional forums as an equal partner with other participating States. This will require Kosovo to sign new agreements and allow it to apply for membership in different regional organizations. Kosovo and Serbia have also reached an integrated border management agreement, which includes a technical protocol on its implementation that provides for a European solution to the issue of an inter-State border. There is no doubt that the dialogue has marked progress in terms of concluding the agreements. These are bilateral and legal agreements between two independent countries. However, the credibility of the whole dialogue process is at stake.”
2012-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6769 (2012) · source
“Kosovo has always been a multi-ethnic society, and it will forever remain so. As such, we are against any kind of partition, change of borders or exchange of territory. For our Government, the integration of the 30,000 Kosovo Serbs in the north is crucial and should happen in the same way that 100,000 Kosovo Serbs were integrated in the rest of Kosovo. In that sense, our Government is determined to pursue an internal dialogue with Kosovo Serbs in the northern municipalities in order to integrate that community into democratic institutions and help to shape an agenda for social and economic development. My third point concerns the technical dialogue between the Republic of Kosovo and the Republic of Serbia. 1 would like to highlight the agreements reached on regional cooperation and integrated border management.”
2012-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6769 (2012) · source
“As the report of the Secretary-General states, the Kosovo Force and EULEX are prevented from operating there to fulfil their mandates. Moreover, the entire stability of Kosovo and the architecture of security in the region hinges on the situation in the north. Let me give an example. In the early morning of 8 April, a 38-year-old Kosovo Albanian father was killed in his apartment and two of his four children were wounded in an explosion. That happened in north Mitrovica, and it is not an isolated act. The city of Mitrovica is divided not by the River Iber, but by fear. Through fear and threats, the security structures are expelling all non-Serb communities from northern Kosovo. The position of my Government is very clear. The violence has to stop, and Serbia has to withdraw its police and security units from the north of Kosovo.”
2012-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6769 (2012) · source
“In the 1990s, barricades in Croatia and Bosnia were set up by police and security structures that were led and financed by Serbia in much the same way that the illegal structures in the north of Kosovo are controlled, led and financed by Serbia. Serbia's agenda in that part of Kosovo is to keep the status quo and to create conditions for a deadlocked conflict, and subsequently to territorial partition. Due to that situation, it has not been possible for our institutions to integrate the Kosovo Serbs and to implement the Ahtisaari Plan in that part of our country, as we have successfully done in the rest of Kosovo. That is the only corner of Europe where there is no rule of law and no democratic participation in institutions.”
2012-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6769 (2012) · source
“That was an important step for the State of Kosovo, because Serbia agreed not to organize any type of election activities in Kosovo, 13 years after the end of the war. It is very important to mention that Serbia did not try to organize local elections in the three municipalities in the north. That is a good sign that Serbia is beginning to accept the reality of an independent Kosovo. We are very concerned about the situation in the three northern municipalities of Kosovo. Serbia still maintains illegal police and security structures in that part of Kosovo, in violation of resolution 1244 (1999). The stability and security situation is very tense, and there are still barricades set up by those entities. What we are facing in that part of Kosovo now is not new to the region.”
2012-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6769 (2012) · source
“Through the decentralization process, we have established six new municipalities, where Kosovo Serbs participate in self-governance in the areas of administration, police, justice, education and culture. Kosovo has been built on the principles of citizenship and multi-ethnicity. Based on our Constitution and laws, Kosovo citizens enjoy the right to dual citizenship. Therefore, when the presidential and parliamentary elections were held in Serbia on 6 May, Serbs living in Kosovo were able to vote in the elections. In accordance with an agreement reached with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), that organization facilitated the voting process for Kosovo Serbs. Under the OSCE symbol, mobile voting centres were opened, Kosovo Serbs voted and their votes were counted outside the territory of the Republic of Kosovo.”
2012-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6769 (2012) · source
“Kosovo's institutions are very determined to support the full clarification of those allegations in an open, independent, professional and transparent way. We welcome adoption by the Parliament of Albania of a law ensuring full cooperation between Albania and the EULEX Task Force. My second point speaks to the situation in the north of Kosovo. In the past five years, Kosovo has made important progress in the integration of the Serb community at the central and local levels of governance. Today, the Kosovo Serb community takes part in Parliament. Out of 120 members, 13 are from the Serb community. Serbs are also represented in the central Government by a Deputy Prime Minister and three ministers.”
2012-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6769 (2012) · source
“As the report of the Secretary- General (S/2012/275) confirms, Kosovo's institutions and the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) have done very good work on several trials and cases involving war crimes, corruption and organized crime. Such cases are the main focus of EULEX. Kosovo's police continues to devote itself to the rule of law and has incorporated a relatively strong representation of Kosovo Serbs and other communities. Thanks to our justice and police institutions, the crime rate has fallen by 11 per cent since last year. Let me reiterate that the Government of Kosovo remains committed to and supports the EULEX Special Investigative Task Force in its investigation of all allegations contained in the report of Mr. Dick Marty.”
2012-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6769 (2012) · source
“As a result, Kosovo's gross domestic product growth is estimated at 5 per cent - a rate twice as high as in the period before independence and twice as high as that in the region. However, unemployment is a pressing issue for us. While Europe is facing financial and debt crises, Kosovo has maintained its macroeconomic and fiscal stability. Due to very good planning and implementation, Kosovo reached a new stand-by arrangement with the International Monetary Fund, whereby the Fund will provide â‚¬107 million in support for our Government's programmes. Kosovo's institutions have also been very focused on law enforcement, reforming the justice system and public administration.”
2012-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6769 (2012) · source
“Besides other important national and international tasks, the President was active in the fight against corruption and in our European agenda. Under her leadership, Kosovo has established two important bodies, the National Anti-Corruption Council and the National Council for European Integration. Parliament adopted 22 important laws and made significant progress in aligning Kosovo's legislation with European standards. Two of those laws help to promote and protect the cultural and religious heritage of the city of Prizren and the village of Velika Hoca. Kosovo's institutions have granted special protection to 45 Serbian Orthodox cultural heritage sites, based on the highest international standards. We have undertaken reforms and made investments to ensure economic growth and to enable Kosovo to compete with other countries.”
2012-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6769 (2012) · source
“I would like to thank Haiti, Sao Tome and Principe, and Brunei Darussalam for their decision to formally recognize Kosovo. Today, I will speak about Kosovo's current situation, the progress we have made and the challenges that lie ahead. I should like to make four points. The first relates to Kosovo's consolidation of statehood. During the reporting period, Kosovo's leaders and its citizens, due to the commitment and support of international partners, focused on strengthening its multi-ethnic and democratic institutions. The President, Parliament and the Government were active and effective in further building a cohesive State, strengthening the rule of law, implementing needed reforms and tackling the pressing priorities of our society.”
2012-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6769 (2012) · source
“We adopted and implemented a modern Constitution that includes all provisions of United Nations Special Envoy Martii Ahtisaari's comprehensive settlement proposal - a Constitution that commits Kosovo to the principles of democracy, secularism and multi- ethnicity. Before the declaration of Kosovo's independence there were perceptions that its statehood would create instability in the region. However, in the period since 17 February 2008, Kosovo's independence produced peace, stability and security in the whole region. That is why Kosovo's independence has been recognized by all of its neighbours, with the exception of Serbia, and by the overwhelming majority of European countries. Today, close to half of the States Members of the United Nations have recognized our State.”
2012-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6769 (2012) · source
“Mr. Hoxhaj: It is my honour and pleasure to address the Security Council today with regard to the latest developments in Kosovo. First, let me thank the Secretary-General for his efforts for peace, stability and progress in my country and in the Western Balkans. I would also like to thank all States Members of the United Nations for their support in building a democratic and independent Kosovo. Let me reiterate here that the only aspiration Kosovo has today is integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions and membership in the United Nations. Today, Kosovo is an independent State in its fifth year. Its State-building process during those years is a Kosovar, European and international success story.”
2012-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6769 (2012) · source
“I am not here to bother the Council with reports and quotes, but if we refer to a report, we should simply refer to the European Commission progress report of last year, which confirmed that Kosovo had made significant progress in political criteria and other fields of life. Today, Kosovo is an independent country. There are 85 countries that formally recognize the Republic of Kosovo. Nobody can stop the flow of history. Here, I repeat our attitude that we are very much in favour of politics of reconciliation, not of conflict, and of supporting the European integration of the whole region.”
2012-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6713 (2012) · source
“Mr. Hoxhaj: I think that my statement was long enough to inform the Council of the objective situation within Kosovo and in the region. However, let me repeat here that Kosovo is a viable State and in the past four years, with the support of all Council members - and I would like to thank them for that support - and of key State partners, we were able to build a country, a society and a State from scratch that is today a very multi-ethnic democracy. Whatever was said some minutes ago, it does not reflect the reality there but is just a description of a world that does not exist, since those who describe Kosovo never visit it. They do not know what Kosovo looks like.”
2012-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6713 (2012) · source
“The ideas of exchanging territories or ethnic and territorial partition are very dangerous. It is for the good of all - Serbia, as well as Kosovo and all other countries in the region - that the borders of the Balkans have been fixed once and for all. We thank the Security Council and all United Nations Member States, our partners and important State actors for supporting us from conflict and war to a peaceful and democratic transition. Kosovo is a viable and stable state, and can be counted on as a responsible member of international community of free nations.”
2012-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6713 (2012) · source
“Samuel Zbogar, as the European Union's Special Representative to Kosovo. He arrived in Pristina this week. The clear goal of our government is to make the European presence and integration process stronger within Kosovo and to bring our country closer to the European Union. We call upon Serbia to refrain from violence, destabilizing actions and provocative rhetoric. It is time for Serbia to finally withdraw its State police and security forces from the northern municipalities of Kosovo. The implementation of the Ahtisaari plan in that part of Kosovo is still the best framework for the political and democratic participation of all Kosovo Serbs there, in the same way as has happened in the rest of Kosovo, where today Kosovo Serbs and our other communities are shaping their own futures.”
2012-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6713 (2012) · source
“This is a massive violation of resolution 1244 (1999) and of our State sovereignty. These possible events could represent a very dangerous development for stability inside Kosovo, and they could put the whole architecture of regional security into question. To conclude, our institutions are committed to making 2012 a historic European year for Kosovo and the region. We started this year with the launching of the visa liberalization dialogue, which will enable our people to travel across the European Union without visas. Key institutions in Brussels and member States have pledged to Kosovo that it will enjoy trade relations in the form of contractual relations with the European Union and membership in the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. We welcome the nomination of the former Slovenian Foreign Minister, Mr.”
2012-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6713 (2012) · source
“The current status quo in the three northern municipalities of Kosovo will be transformed into a frozen conflict; agreements reached through the technical dialogue will not be implemented; and the process of the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia will have no future. At the same time, there is a risk of other negative developments in the next weeks and months for the potential to worsen the situation. Next week, on 15 February, the Serbian State's illegal structures intend to organize a referendum in the northern municipalities of Kosovo, opposing the institutions of Kosovo and calling for partition and their incorporation into Serbia. This year, when elections will be held in Serbia, Belgrade intends to organize elections inside the territory of the Republic of Kosovo as well.”
2012-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6713 (2012) · source
“Kosovo will take part in the dialogue in good faith. We will implement all agreements reached and accept all European solutions. Dialogue is very important to both countries as independent States and partners on their European path. My Government supports the integration of the whole region into the European Union. However, I would like to be very clear that peace and stability between Kosovo and Serbia and the prosperity of the whole region will depend on the decision soon to be made in Brussels by the European Council. If Serbia is rewarded with candidate status without having dismantled the police and security structures in northern Kosovo, removed barricades or fully implemented agreements reached in the technical dialogue, the consequences will be both short- and long-term.”
2012-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6713 (2012) · source
“Besides the partial implementation of agreements on freedom of movement and free trade, all other agreements, including the return of the civil registry and cadastre records, mutual recognition of school and university diplomas and integrated border management, have not been implemented at all. On issues of telecommunications, energy and regional cooperation, Serbia has failed to agree to proposals coming from the European Union itself. The examples that I mentioned here today show that, in the past year, Serbia understood the dialogue as a process of taking part in meetings, not achieving concrete results. Last year, the Serbian side accepted some agreements and solutions in order to gain enough credit to achieve candidate status in the European Union. But there is no real implementation of agreements on the ground.”
2012-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6713 (2012) · source
“Moreover, two very important international actors - KFOR and EULEX, missions authorized by the Security Council - are unable to carry out their mandates due to the barricades. I believe that the rule of law is not negotiable and should be applied to everyone. The north of Kosovo cannot remain a black hole in Europe. The Serbian policy of pursuing both the European Union and Kosovo clearly means pursuing both the partition of the northern part of Kosovo and membership of the European Union. Secondly, Serbia has also failed to fulfil its obligations under the agreements reached last year in Brussels in the technical dialogue.”
2012-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6713 (2012) · source
“Let me inform the Council briefly about the current situation in the northern part of Kosovo and the implementation or non-implementation of agreements reached until now. First, regarding the north of Kosovo, Serbia has failed to meet its obligations as called for in the European Union Council's December conclusions. The situation on the ground, in particular in the north of Kosovo, remains tense as a result of the roadblocks put up by Serb extremists and Serbian State structures on Belgrade's payroll. Since July of last year, the freedom of movement of people and goods in the northern part of Kosovo has been denied to the citizens of Kosovo. In violation of resolution 1244 (1999), Serbia still maintains security and judicial structures, including hundreds of police officers and members of the gendarmerie, in the north of Kosovo.”
2012-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6713 (2012) · source
“If I translate the conclusions into simpler terms, the Council asked Serbia to engage seriously and fully in the technical dialogue and to implement all provisions of the agreements that it reached with Kosovo in Brussels, as well as to respect its obligations under resolution 1244 (1999) to contribute to a safe and secure environment in Kosovo and to ensure freedom of movement for all. Serbia should not just pay lip service to its commitments and fail to implement its obligations on the ground. Agreements are not worth anything if they are not implemented in practice. If that was Serbia's intention when it agreed to enter into a dialogue with Kosovo, the European Union clearly did not buy into it. The Council agreed to review Serbia's progress towards Kosovo by the end of February.”
2012-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6713 (2012) · source
“The reason was because Serbia failed to make sufficient progress in the European Union-facilitated dialogue with Kosovo and due to the blocked and tense situation created in the northern municipalities of Kosovo by Serbian Government structures. In its conclusions, the Council tasked the Council of Ministers with: "examining and confirming whether Serbia has continued to show credible commitment and has achieved further progress in moving forward with the implementation in good faith of agreements reached in the dialogue, including on integrated border management, has reached an agreement on inclusive regional cooperation and has actively cooperated to enable EULEX and KFOR [the Kosovo Force] to execute their mandates".”
2012-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6713 (2012) · source
“Sharing that vision and fulfilling the obligations of General Assembly resolution 64/298 of September 2010, Kosovo and Serbia have taken part in a technical dialogue since March 2011. The aim of that dialogue is to solve practical issues from which citizens of both countries would benefit. We strongly believe in a dialogue as a means not only to solve technical issues, but also to build trust between the two nations and to overcome the difficult past. However, let me summarize what has happened recently. On 9 December 2011, the European Council held a summit in Brussels and deferred Serbia's European Union candidate status.”
2012-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6713 (2012) · source
“That has been recognized by the ISG as well. "The ISG urges Serbia to abide by its international commitments and refrain from interfering in Kosovo, including by withdrawing its police, security and other State presences, and supporting efforts by international actors and the institutions of Kosovo to promote the rule of law." Let me brief the Council about the relations between Kosovo and Serbia, the technical dialogue and our common European future. I think that we cannot speak of Europe as a whole, free, democratic and peaceful without having resolved the remaining issues in the Balkans. For the Government of Kosovo, the integration of the whole region into Euro-Atlantic institutions is the best means of ensuring long-term peace and a brighter future for all.”
2012-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6713 (2012) · source
“This year, a package of amendments to Kosovo's Constitution and relevant primary legislation will be adopted. That will embody the key provisions of the Ahtisaari plan in our Constitution and laws, and thereby facilitate the formal end of the ICO's mandate and, with it, supervised independence. We recognize that there is more work to be done but we are ready and willing to meet our international obligations. I would like to inform all representatives that, so far, 95 per cent of the Ahtisaari plan has been implemented, although that has not included the creation of the new municipality of northern Mitrovica. That has been prevented by the illegal security, paramilitary and police Serbian State structures that still today are led, controlled and financed by Belgrade in flagrant violation of resolution 1244 (1999).”
2012-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6713 (2012) · source
“The representatives of the 25 member States confirmed: "Kosovo is now in the final stages of implementing the Comprehensive Settlement Proposal and will therefore start preparations for an organized end to supervised independence and the closure of the International Civilian Office, which should be possible by the end of 2012." The ISG has endorsed a strategy that will facilitate that process. Through a parliamentary resolution approved by a majority of more than two thirds, the government of Kosovo, opposition political parties and other Kosovo institutions have committed themselves to taking the necessary political steps, backed by financial commitments, to implement specific measures on community rights, cultural heritage and dealing with the past.”
2012-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6713 (2012) · source