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 order to protect and promote religious and cultural heritage and cultural diversity, the government of Kosovo has granted special protection to 45 sites through the establishment of special protective zones. Those include monasteries and churches of the Serbian Orthodox Church along with also medieval towns, fortress, bridges, traditional houses and monuments. The implementation of the Ahtisaari Plan has provided communities with access to education, supported the return of refugees, promoted reconciliation between different communities and accelerated economic and social development. The beginning of a new phase in Kosovo's development as a state was marked during the latest meeting of the ISG, held in Vienna on 24 January 2012.”
2012-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6713 (2012) · source
“As a result of the successful implementation of that Plan, the majority of Kosovo Serbs are participating in Kosovo institutions at both the central and local levels of government. The government of Kosovo, through a decentralization process, has created new municipalities composed mostly of the Serb community, such as Graeanica, Kllokot-Verboc, Ranillug, Novoberde, Shterpce and Partesh. The establishment of those municipalities has improved the quality of the political and economic life of Kosovo Serbs. They were created in accordance with the European Charter of Local Self-Government and have full managerial and executive competencies, based on a process of devolution. As one would see if visiting any one of those municipalities, the result has been the rebirth of vibrant, dynamic communities.”
2012-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6713 (2012) · source
“In the last four years, due to close cooperation between the government of Kosovo and the ICO, Kosovo made fundamental progress in the implementation of the Ahtisaari Plan through the participation and promotion of communities - Serb, Bosniak, Gorani, Turk, Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian - at all levels of governance. Those national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural and religious groups - who are defined in our Constitution not as minorities but as communities - today enjoy the most advanced rights and privileges of any such communities in Europe. We have invested more than â‚¬200 million in the implementation of the provisions of the Ahtisaari Plan related to communities.”
2012-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6713 (2012) · source
“This new chapter of our state is an important short- and long-term development for Kosovo, for the whole region and for the European Union. Four years ago, on 28 February 2008, the International Steering Group (ISG) on Kosovo was formed. Its role has been to help guide Kosovo's democratic development and to promote good governance, multi-ethnicity and the rule of law. The ISG, a body comprised of 25 States, appointed an experienced international diplomat, Mr. Pieter Feith, as the International Civilian Representative for Kosovo to lead the International Civilian Office (ICO). The mandate of the ICO was to monitor and facilitate the implementation of United Nations Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari's comprehensive settlement proposal.”
2012-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6713 (2012) · source
“We strongly believe that even more countries will recognize Kosovo over time; some of them are in fact in the process of making that decision. I have informed the Council as to how Kosovo has become a functional, prosperous, stable and multi- ethnic state, with a diverse society and a steadily growing economy. Anyone who has visited Kosovo in the last few years has seen that it has transformed itself into a true multi-ethnic democracy. The clear goal of Kosovo's government and the international community was to create a state for all Kosovo citizens, in order to overcome separations along ethnic lines and to advance the interests of all communities in Kosovo through participation in democratic and multi-ethnic institutions. I would like to report that this year Kosovo is entering a new phase of statehood.”
2012-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6713 (2012) · source
“I would therefore like to invite all Member States to support our participation in regional and global forums. Kosovo's inclusion would respect the rights and needs of all the citizens of Kosovo and of our state. Full recognition of Kosovo's independence remains a very important goal for my government. The number of recognitions and their geographic scope has made the independence of Kosovo a geopolitical reality in the Balkans and in Europe, and the number of independent and sovereign States recognizing Kosovo is constantly growing. Currently, 85 Members of the United Nations have formally recognized our country. I would like to thank the Republic of Ghana for its recent decision to recognize the Republic of Kosovo.”
2012-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6713 (2012) · source
“Civil society activists help prepare for a society that discusses, debates and challenges every policy and action of the government and the international community. They are very important agents of modernization in our young state. I have been speaking about the internal consolidation of Kosovo's institutions. Let me now reiterate that for Kosovo, the international consolidation of its statehood is crucial with respect to being part of the international system. We are undertaking major efforts to gain our place in regional and global institutions as a constructive, contributing member of the international community. Kosovo's participation in regional and global institutions is vital for the stability, security and development of Kosovo, the Western Balkans and even Europe.”
2012-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6713 (2012) · source
“Kosovo is not only the youngest state in Europe, but it also has the youngest population, at a time when many countries are facing an aging problem. The young and well-educated represent a generation that constitutes great social capital for Kosovo. In addition, we have a very active and dynamic civil society, which has continued to crucially shape politics and different policies. Numerous institutions, organizations and associations have been formed and play an active part in public life and in supporting the overall process of state-building and democratization. They contribute to our important checks-and-balances system by presenting their interests and views, which the government values highly.”
2012-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6713 (2012) · source
“Kosovo's institutions are very determined to support the full clarification of the allegations in an open, independent, professional and transparent way. Beside reforms in public administration and the legal sector, the economy remains a pressing priority for the government. Therefore the government is engaged in ensuring economic growth, tackling unemployment, providing social justice for all, improving the business investment environment and reforming the energy and education sectors. Reforms in the financial sector are designed to ensure fiscal stability and improved budget management. According to the International Monetary Fund, macroeconomic and financial policies are on track. Kosovo's economy grew by an estimated 5 per cent during 2011.”
2012-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6713 (2012) · source
“We have adopted a Strategy and Action Plan against Corruption, which includes the creation of a special prosecution and anti-corruption task force. There is close cooperation between the Kosovo government and the European Union Rule of Law Mission (EULEX), which has done very good work in combating and investigating different forms of crime. Let me reiterate that the government of Kosovo welcomed from the very beginning the establishment of the EULEX Special Investigative Task Force to investigate all allegations contained in the report by Mr. Dick Marty. All Kosovar institutions have offered full cooperation to the EULEX Lead Prosecutor, Mr. Clint Williamson, for this investigation process, which started last year and has included visits this year to Pristina and other regional capitals.”
2012-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6713 (2012) · source
“Those reforms were strongly commended by the European Commission progress report. We are aware that this is a very complex and lengthy process, but the government is very much committed to building an independent and efficient public administration in line with the best European practices. The government of Kosovo is undertaking very serious efforts to reform the justice system and strengthen the rule of law. Important steps have been made in building new institutions, adopting necessary legislation and regulations and increasing the professional capacities and numbers of judges in Kosovo. The fight against corruption and organized crime is one of the top priorities of the government, and many measures and actions have been undertaken to strengthen the rule of law.”
2012-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6713 (2012) · source
“During this time, Kosovo's leaders and their political parties have shown maturity and democratic responsibility in their engagement on issues of the common interest. The Assembly of Kosovo has passed a number of important laws, and many others are under review. The Assembly has played a very important role in monitoring the implementation of laws and has fulfilled its important task of overseeing the work of the government. Through heated debates and discussion, the Assembly has provided real democratic representation for Kosovo's citizens. The Assembly of Kosovo adopted 20 major laws, including laws on control of the border, international agreements, copyright, the state budget and others. In order to overcome weaknesses in public administration, the government is implementing fundamental reforms.”
2012-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6713 (2012) · source
“After four years of independence, Kosovo has built a cohesive state and has strengthened its multi-ethnic and democratic institutions. The internal and international development of Kosovo has involved various central and local-level institutions playing vibrant roles. The parliament has been dynamic in implementing its legislative agenda, our non-partisan President has been active in the national and international representation of Kosovo and the government has been operational and effective in reforming the country and tackling the needs of our society. Due to the very hard work and commitment of our institutions, Kosovo is a prosperous, multi-ethnic democracy and has maintained peace and stability in the face of serious challenges and efforts to generate instability.”
2012-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6713 (2012) · source
“However, the situation has changed in recent years. In that time, Kosovo has made great progress in state-building, due to the commitment of its people and the support of the international community. We are very grateful for the support of the Council and the important role that it has played in rebuilding a society and building a country from scratch and helping it to overcome a difficult past. Today, the vision of our government is to replace the politics of conflict with those of reconciliation and European integration, and I believe that lessons learned from past tragedies should help to more effectively shape policies in the present. Allow me to report on the progress we have achieved during this reporting period and to go over the challenges we face.”
2012-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6713 (2012) · source
“While we are discussing my country in this Chamber today, Kosovo prepares to celebrate next week its fourth anniversary as an independent state. Independent Kosovo was born, based on the will of its people, on 17 February 2008, and our tragic history has left a difficult legacy. Kosovo was part of the Yugoslav disintegration of the 1990s that took the lives of tens of thousands of innocent people - many of them women and children - who did not accept the criminal regime of Slobodan Milosevic. As it related to Kosovo, the aim of Milosevie's policy was to ethnically cleanse Kosovo. In 1999 alone, within a few months, over 1 million people were expelled from Kosovo. In fact, those tragic events are very well known to everyone here, as many United Nations reports have reported on them since 1998.”
2012-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6713 (2012) · source
“Mr. Hoxhaj: It is a great honour and a pleasure for me to address the Security Council today regarding the latest report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (S/2012/72). First, I would like to congratulate Azerbaijan, Guatemala, Morocco, Pakistan and Togo as new members of the Security Council and wish them success in that very important responsibility. Secondly, I would like to thank the Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, for his continuous support for building a democratic, multi-ethnic and stable Kosovo. With the commitment of our institutions and the support of the international community, the Republic of Kosovo today is a modern and viable State whose main policy goal is integration into the Euro-Atlantic institutions.”
2012-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6713 (2012) · source
“At the same time, I call on my friends not to bring the spirit of a Balkan country election campaign into a meeting of the Security Council.”
2011-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6670 (2011) · source
“Thirdly, we are very interested in solving all problems through dialogue, and we call on Serbia to start implementing the agreements reached in Brussels. To date, there has been the possibility of seeing implementation only of the agreement on customs 11-60960 stamps, but nothing else. Nothing else has been implemented until now. Regarding the barricades, the European Union insists on two principles - freedom of movement of peoples and freedom of movement of goods. If Serbia aspires to European Union candidate status but is putting up barricades in a part of another country, I think that is the best evidence of how interested Serbia is in a European future. I will stop here. I am not interested in bothering the Council with more remarks.”
2011-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6670 (2011) · source
“Mr. Hoxhaj: I am going to make some remarks not about the past but about the future. First, I think that it is necessary for all sides to call for a stop to the violence in the northern part of Kosovo, and for the situation there to show some improvement 12 years after the war. Secondly, security and stability in that part of Kosovo, within Kosovo as a whole and in the region are always going to be a challenge as long as security forces, paramilitary organizations and police forces from the Republic of Serbia are operating in that part of Kosovo. Accordingly, it is really time for Serbia to dismantle these structures. We have seen the same phenomenon occur everywhere in the former Yugoslavia over the past 20 years; that has been the situation from 1991 until today.”
2011-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6670 (2011) · source
“They will be so forever. We will never accept a status quo, a frozen situation or ethnic partition, as senior-level officials in Serbia are promoting. I think that, after 20 years, the time has come for Serbia to define its national interests in terms of political integration within Europe and economic development, and not in terms of territory. Serbia should come to terms with independent Kosovo. We remain willing to normalize relations with Serbia. The policy goal of my Government is the integration of Kosovo into the Euro-Atlantic institutions. Finally, the Security Council can count on Kosovo for cooperation in order to maintain international peace and security. As the report of the Secretary-General shows, a threat to Kosovo's peace is indeed a threat to regional security and stability.”
2011-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6670 (2011) · source
“We also hope that it will not boycott it again after 9 December, when the European Council will take important decisions for the Balkans. Let me conclude by saying that the Government of Kosovo is committed to providing all its citizens the peaceful and prosperous future that they deserve. We are determined to integrate the people in this part of Kosovo with the rest of the country and maintain our internationally recognized borders. We will make every effort to communicate with the Kosovo Serbs in the north, and we will spare no resource to enable the creation of free and democratic institutions in the north, so that people can live free of fear and intimidation. The Government of Kosovo will exercise its legitimate right to guarantee law, order and peace in its entire territory. The municipalities in the north are part of Kosovo.”
2011-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6670 (2011) · source
“We are deeply committed to the implementation of the entire Ahtisaari Plan as the best model for the integration of the Kosovo Serbs. According to the Plan, Kosovo Serbs in these three municipalities can have full self-governance, something that no other community can enjoy today in Europe. We expect that the next round of dialogue, scheduled for tomorrow, will take place and will bring concrete outcomes in the areas of regional cooperation, integrated border management, telecommunications and energy. But let me repeat: we are very interested in reaching agreement on those issues, and, more importantly, implementing them on the ground. We hope that Serbia is not using the dialogue to score political points in order to get European Union candidate status.”
2011-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6670 (2011) · source
“As I reported here at previous meetings in July and September, Kosovo and Serbia agreed on many important issues. To date, only one agreement has been implemented by Serbia. This undermines the trust between both sides and hinders the prospects for new agreements. Kosovo supports the integration of the region into the European Union. However, we will never accept countries aspiring to integration, such as Serbia, undermining Kosovo's statehood and controlling part of its territory through illegal security structures. We therefore believe that the time has come for Serbia to remove the roadblocks, dismantle its security structures and accept the European model of integrated border management between the two countries.”
2011-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6670 (2011) · source
“I do not believe that there should be, or could be, ethnic electricity, ethnic mobile telephones or ethnic car plates, as these concepts are against European values and norms. We will therefore accept all solutions that are European solutions. Such solutions should be clear and easy to implement and should not produce more parallelism. But let me make clear the position of my Government on the dialogue. Kosovo is and will be part of this dialogue. We welcome the fact that Serbia, after some months of boycott, returned to the negotiating table last week. However, we should not understand dialogue as a process that involves simply attending meetings, without any concrete results. We are very much interested in outcomes and in the implementation of agreements.”
2011-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6670 (2011) · source
“Dialogue is a very important instrument for us to build good-neighbourly relations as two independent States. We are willing to put the past behind us and work together for a better future. It is for that reason that we are participating in this dialogue in a constructive manner and in good faith. We are working towards outcomes that improve the lives of all citizens in Kosovo and Serbia. The resolution of issues concerning the freedom of movement of people and goods will greatly benefit people in both countries. Our goal is to bring services closer to all citizens of Kosovo, and all of the solutions that we have proposed so far are aimed at bringing communities together, not dividing them.”
2011-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6670 (2011) · source
“We do not wish to be part of destabilizing scenarios, and we will not tolerate being threatened by destructive forms of intimidation. We are a constructive partner in resolving the issues we face, but we will not give up our serenity or the functioning of our young, democratic State. We are working to improve our good-neighbourly relations, always oriented towards dialogue and European integration. This brings me to my last point: the technical dialogue. Our dedication to peace and stability and to a European future for the whole region led us to engage in a dialogue with Serbia that is facilitated by the European Union. This technical dialogue is aimed at finding solutions to the practical issues that our people are faced with every day.”
2011-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6670 (2011) · source
“That was confirmed last week by the statements made by members of the Serbian Government, who, when talking about Kosovo, said that Serbia could not and would not watch peacefully if a red line was crossed. They sent threatening messages and promoted the concept of a balance of fear between Kosovo and Serbia. It is necessary to mention here that since 25 July, the Kosovo institutions have not been the ones to use violence. The opposite is true. The illegal Serbian security structures have systematically used violence against citizens and peacekeeping soldiers. In the last two weeks alone, more than 54 soldiers have been wounded, including in the escalation of violence that occurred yesterday. We have been patient, hoping that our neighbour, Serbia, would understand that roadblocks and threats are not solutions to our problems.”
2011-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6670 (2011) · source
“What is currently happening in that part of Kosovo, even as we meet here today? The situation remains unchanged, blocked and threatening. Trucks, rocks and various obstacles are blocking most of the roads in the three municipalities in the north. A total of 18 roadblocks are preventing the free movement of people and goods. Even the troops of the Kosovo Force (KFOR), a force mandated by resolution 1244 (1999), and the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) are prevented from crossing those barricades. This poses a real threat to security within Kosovo and to regional peace and stability. At the same time, we are concerned about the war narratives that are still present in the Serbian political discourse.”
2011-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6670 (2011) · source
“When I mention the north of Kosovo, I am specifically referring to the three and a half municipalities: the northern part of the city of Mitrovica, Leposavie, Zvecan and Zubin Potok. Thirteen thousand people live in this part of Kosovo, but the majority of Kosovo Serbs live across Kosovo, and around 100,000 take part in all levels of Kosovo institutions. The decision of the Kosovo Government to establish the rule of law and to enforce reciprocity measures in trade relations was not a violent act. It was an attempt to establish the rule of law and order and to implement the agreement on Customs stamps reached in Brussels. The Government of Kosovo has been working in close coordination with international partners to secure basic freedom of movement and the rule of law.”
2011-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6670 (2011) · source
“But our approach - to give peace and understanding a chance - has been misused by the Government of Serbia. Serbia refers to resolution 1244 (1999) over and over again, as it did today. However, Serbia has done everything in its power to prevent the implementation of that resolution in the north of Kosovo and to prevent the development of the multi- ethnic character of our society there. The same has happened with the Ahtisaari Plan since 2008. Most of the provisions of the Ahtisaari Plan are aimed at ensuring the best mechanisms and rights for the Kosovo Serbs. To date, Kosovo has implemented more than 90 per cent of the Plan, and the integration of the Kosovo Serbs across the country is a reality. The Plan could not be implemented in the north because Serbia never showed any interest in improving the lives of the local Serbs there.”
2011-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6670 (2011) · source
“With the support of the Serbian Government, illegal structures have held the local population hostage and threaten peace and order. It is necessary to mention here that since 1999 we have been a great financial contributor to the local institutions in that part of Kosovo. Just this year, we invested over â‚¬5 million in different projects, and we will do more. Unfortunately, Belgrade has at all times interfered and denied every form of cooperation for the good of the local Serb community there. The Government of Kosovo has shown patience for a year. We have insisted that the situation should be resolved in cooperation with international mechanisms. We have been and remain committed to resolving this situation through cooperation, not confrontation.”
2011-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6670 (2011) · source
“This is the only corner of Europe that has not had free and democratic elections or participation in democratic institutions in the last twelve years. It is also the only case in Europe in which one country, through its security forces, is controlling part of another country. In that area, where law and order are absent, criminal activities and organized crime have flourished. As we have seen, besides the economic implications for Kosovo, Serbia and the rest of the Balkans, such a black-hole situation has seriously threatened regional security. The illegal security structures of organized crime aim to create a status quo in order to safeguard their illegal economic activities, such as smuggling, trafficking and others.”
2011-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6670 (2011) · source
“It threatens the functionality of Kosovo as a multi-ethnic State and is a serious threat to regional peace and security. The status quo has been tolerated since 1999, in violation of resolution 1244 (1999). Under these circumstances, the Government of Serbia has maintained control and has sponsored a complete, illegal system of its structures. Security and police units, as well as paramilitary and defence structures, are still present and operating in that part of Kosovo. This is taking place in direct violation of resolution 1244 (1999) and of the Kumanovo Agreement, which explicitly prohibits Serbia from maintaining a security and armed forces presence. The operation of illegal Serbian structures has posed a significant obstacle to the integration of the local population and to the implementation of the rule of law.”
2011-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6670 (2011) · source
“Now we also hope that the European Council will support us by concluding a contractual relationship in the form of a trade agreement or even a stabilization and association agreement. I believe that Kosovo should not be a forgotten and isolated country. In 2011, Kosovo made important steps towards European integration. We hope that 2012 will be the year of a European Kosovo. The third important point for the Government of Kosovo and for the future of the region is the situation in the north of the country. In our previous meetings in this Chamber, I presented my Government's views with respect to the situation in the north of Kosovo. Again, I consider it very important to inform the Council about the latest developments. The state of affairs in the north of Kosovo is complex.”
2011-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6670 (2011) · source
“I would like to inform the Council that on 12 October we received the European Commission's progress report on Kosovo, which correctly reflects the situation on the ground, stating that "Kosovo has made progress as regards the political criteria in a number of important areas". The work of the central and local governments and relevant departments is praised. Progress was also mentioned in our decentralization efforts in building multi-ethnic institutions and a diverse society. Like our neighbours, we aspire to secure visa liberalization for all citizens and contractual relations with the European Union. Due to our progress, the report delivered the long-awaited news about launching a dialogue on the visa liberalization process towards the end of this year. That is a remarkable achievement for Kosovo.”
2011-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6670 (2011) · source
“Following the firm verdict of the International Court of Justice, which confirmed that the declaration of Kosovo's independence did not violate international law and resolution 1244 (1999), there are no legal reasons to further delay the recognition of Kosovo's independence. The second point I wish to make has to do with the process of European integration. We see Kosovo, like other countries in the Balkans, as a critical part of Europe in terms of history, geography and culture. However, political integration, in terms of the European integration process, is the best framework for ensuring long-term peace, stability and prosperity in our region. At the same time, it is also the best way for the region to overcome divisions, through a process of reform and mutual support.”
2011-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6670 (2011) · source
“We consider economic growth a crucial element of our social cohesion and our efforts at ethnic integration. In this reporting period we made significant progress in our efforts to participate in regional and international initiatives. We have been and we remain a responsible member of the international community. The size and geographic scope of Kosovo's recognition is global, which demonstrates that Kosovo's independence is a geopolitical reality. In that connection I would like to thank the Governments of Gabon, Kuwait and the Ivory Coast for their decisions to recognize independent Kosovo. We strongly believe that many other countries will follow suit in the near future.”
2011-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6670 (2011) · source
“Like other countries in the region, we have had many challenges this year. Despite the fact that our people are optimistic about the prospects for economic development, unemployment remains one of the key problems that we face today. For that reason, we are working very hard to ensure economic growth and social welfare. Kosovo has maintained macroeconomic stability and continuous economic growth. While Europe is facing a debt crisis, Kosovo remains the least indebted country in the Balkans. The new budget law was presented to Parliament earlier this month. It foresees a 6 per cent increase in gross domestic production for the next year. We aim to accomplish this through investments, exports and consumption, which in turn will provide jobs and help ease unemployment.”
2011-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6670 (2011) · source
“Cooperation between all political parties and other, non-political actors is excellent. The Kosovo Assembly has passed 33 laws on issues such as municipal cooperation, missing persons, education, cadastral regulations and international legal cooperation in criminal matters. We are committed to strengthening the rule of law. The Kosovo justice system is engaged in fighting organized crime and corruption. There have been concrete results on cases involving war crimes, organized crime and corruption. Kosovo has had excellent preparation with the European Union Rule of Law Mission (EULEX) and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia on all those cases. Once again, we consider the rule of law fundamental for Kosovo's development and the development of the Western Balkans.”
2011-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6670 (2011) · source
“Kosovo has maintained institutional stability, and there are visible improvements in all aspects of life, including democratic governance, the rule of law and a market-based economy. It has proved to be a cohesive State. A report published recently by the United Nations Development Programme states that there has been a general increase in people's satisfaction with the work of the key executive, legislative and judicial institutions. The democratization process is going in the right direction. There is an open and democratic dialogue that includes all stakeholders in our society and that covers a wide range of different policies and issues. That is illustrated by the work of the commission for constitutional changes and the commission for a new election law.”
2011-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6670 (2011) · source
“Mr. Hoxhaj: It is a great honour for me to address the Security Council again regarding the recent developments in Kosovo. I also express the gratitude of the people of the Republic of Kosovo for the Council's support for our young but functional and multi-ethnic democracy. Before us is the most recent report of the Secretary-General on Kosovo (S/2011/675). The situation outlined in that report helps to remind us that Kosovo is an important State in the Balkans. In its fourth year as an independent nation, Kosovo has proven to be a factor of peace and stability and security in the region and throughout Europe. Allow me to speak about four key developments in Kosovo. The first deals with the further consolidation of Kosovo's statehood. In the last three months, we made crucial progress in strengthening our institutions.”
2011-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6670 (2011) · source
“Our institutions are open to all those who seek political change through institutional means, including Kosovo Serb politicians from the North. I hope that the Security Council will recognize the progress in the Balkans and will support both sides engaging in a dialogue. That will confirm the most basic principles of rejection of Violence and respect for the rule of law in the entire territory of the Republic of Kosovo.”
2011-08-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6604 (2011) · source
“Now that the status issue is behind us, one can see that dialogue between the two countries can become a generator of goodwill and good solutions. We are happy to see that a coherent international effort to move away from the situation of a frozen conflict and a status quo is taking place. I repeat, status-quo, frozen conflict and partition are not acceptable at all. There is no return to the situation that existed before 25 July. After 12 years, Serbia must dissolve parallel structures and should start coming to terms with the new independent nation as a neighbour and partner. The Kosovo Government will redouble efforts to provide democratic representation in all Kosovo, from the very grass-roots politics at the municipal level.”
2011-08-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6604 (2011) · source
“We are pleased that the investigation team is now well in place, and in that context we welcome the nomination of Mr. John Clint Williamson as the lead prosecutor for the EULEX special task force. Let me affirm that the Government of Kosovo will fully cooperate with EULEX as an independent arbiter of justice in the case. As I have noted in my intervention, Kosovo is a country of law, dedicated to justice for victims and punishment for criminals. I have tried to be as brief as I can. I wish I could have been briefer. The world has many pressing needs, and other countries need the Council's immediate attention. Kosovo's challenges are great, but they also provide an important window of opportunity.”
2011-08-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6604 (2011) · source
“Here, let me emphasize that Kosovo is and will be a free nation for all Kosovars, whether they be Albanian, Serb, Roma, Turk, Bosniak, Croat, Montenegrin or other. We do not want to impose any rule in the North other than the rule of law. For Serb political representatives to make the most of the very broad political affirmative rights under the Ahtisaari Plan is a matter of their choice. However, they should at least be allowed the freedom to choose, and the Ahtisaari Plan is the best framework for that. We will continue to support the Kosovo police, KFOR and EULEX in making sure that Kosovo makes more progress in the rule oflaw. As we have said many times, Pristina is the party most interested in fully clarifying the allegations brought by Dick Marty.”
2011-08-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6604 (2011) · source
“The situation has resulted in an area that exists outside the application of Kosovo law and is under the control of Serbian illegal structures. It has become a black hole, where criminals of all ethnicities can flourish and where there is no legal certainty for any citizen. It is a smugglers' paradise in all sectors of the economy, where criminals and smugglers profit and ordinary citizens live in very bad conditions. We call on the Security Council not to tolerate efforts to challenge the legal order established after the adoption of resolution 1244 (1999). The Kosovo Government is committed to ensuring that the rule of law is implemented within all its territory. We shall not use force, nor do we need to; but we shall use our full determination.”
2011-08-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6604 (2011) · source
“One deputy prime minister, three ministers, three deputy ministers and 12 Members of Parliament represent the strong interests of the Serb minority in Kosovo institutions. Kosovo has proved that it can deliver to the minorities. The new municipalities, such as Gracanice, Novoberde, Ranillug, Partesh and Shterpce, have managed to become fully functional. That shows the full involvement of and economic benefits for the local Serb population. That has happened due to the strong commitment of local Serb politicians, led by Deputy Prime Minister Slobodan Petrovie. On the other hand, Zubin Potok, Leposavic' and northern Mitrovica have never had proper and free elections. That is the only corner of Europe where criminal structures keep the local population hostage to extremist aims. That has to change.”
2011-08-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6604 (2011) · source
“Some of the greatest problems reported in the Secretary-General report before us today have to do with the fact that Serbia not only insists on supporting criminal structures in Kosovo, but also is actively forbidding the integration of Kosovo Serbs. On the basis of the Ahtisaari Plan, Kosovo Serbs enjoy a wide range of preferential treatment, positive discrimination and self-governance in certain sectors. Their integration across the country has happened and is a success story. Today, the majority of Serbs living in Kosovo are integrated at the central and the local levels. That shows that Kosovo's multi-ethnic democracy is responsive to the needs of the citizens. Serb minority participation in the Government is strong and genuine.”
2011-08-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6604 (2011) · source
“While Serbia and Kosovo can disagree on how to establish their mutual relationship, no one in this Chamber can disagree with the fact that Serbia has no legal right to finance and support its own armed, paramilitary, security, intelligence and other institutions in Kosovo. Over the past 12 years, the Government of Serbia has invested over â‚¬6 billion to maintain and control those illegal structures in Kosovo. This has to stop because it violates resolution 1244 (1999), the Ahtisaari agreement and international law. When these forces are used to attack Kosovo Police, EULEX police and KFOR troops, this is a grave attack upon the entire architecture of security established in the Balkans in 1999.”
2011-08-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6604 (2011) · source
“One Kosovo Police officer was killed by these extremists and criminals, who are financed by both Belgrade and smuggling activities. I repeat - the Kosovo Police did not use Violence. It was the Serbian Government that committed acts of violence inside the territory of Kosovo. It was thanks to KFOR and Commander Buhler that violence was stopped. He was able to broker a deal that made possible the implementation of the legitimate Kosovo Government's measures. We recall that this agreement with KF OR enables full control of the border posts, but at the same time parallel structures still frequently block the roads. The United Nations, the European Union, CEFTA and even Serbia have all agreed previously that Kosovo is a single customs area.”
2011-08-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6604 (2011) · source