Hoxhaj calls on Serbia to give up violence and destabilizing acts in Kosovo and the region

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Speaking to members of the Security Council, Minister Hoxhaj informed them of the progress achieved, as well as the challenges, during this reporting period.

Minister Hoxhaj emphasized that the Kosovo Government is committed to securing economic growth, addressing unemployment and securing social justice for all, improving the investment climate for businesses and reforming the energy sector and education.

“For Kosovo, the international consolidation of our statehood is fundamental, in order to become part of the international system. So I want to invite all member countries of the United Nations to support our participation in regional and global institutions as Kosovo’s inclusion would respect all the rights and needs of Kosovo’s citizens and our state”, added Minister Hoxhaj.

Conclusion of the supervision of independence
 
Minister Hoxhaj told Security Council members that Kosovo is a functional, prosperous, stable and multi-ethnic state, with a diverse society and continually growing economy.

“This new chapter of our state is important short and long-term growth for Kosovo, the entire region and the European Union. In the last four years, due to close cooperation with the Kosovo Government and ICO, Kosovo has made fundamental progress in implementing the Ahtisaari Plan through the participation of and promotion of communities – Serb, Bosnian, Gorani, Turk, Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian – at all levels of government”, said Minister Hoxhaj.
 
Relations between the Republic of Kosovo and the Republic of Serbia

In this session, Minister Hoxhaj also informed members of the Security Council about the prospects of the complex relations between Kosovo and Serbia, technical dialogue and our European future.

“I think that we cannot talk about a whole, free, democratic and peaceful Europe without resolving the issues remaining in the Western Balkans. For the Kosovo Government, the region’s full integration in Euro-Atlantic institutions is the best way of securing long-term peace and a better future for everyone”, said Minister Hoxhaj.

Talking about technical dialogue between the Republic of Kosovo and the Republic of Serbia, Minister Hoxhaj said that Serbia had failed to make sufficient progress in the dialogue being facilitated by the EU with Kosovo due to the effects of the blocked and tense situation created in the northern municipalities of Kosovo by Serbia’s government structures.

Situation in the three municipalities of the north of the Republic of Kosovo

Minister Hoxhaj also spoke about the current situation in the northern part of Kosovo and the failure to implement agreements achieved up to now.

“First, with regard to the north of Kosovo, Serbia has failed to meet its obligations according to the December conclusions of the European Council. The situation in the terrain, especially the north of Kosovo, remains tense due to the blockades on roads put up by Serb extremists and Serbia’s state structures paid by Belgrade. From July of last year, the freedom of movement of people and goods in the northern part of Kosovo has been denied to Kosovo’s citizens. In opposition to Resolution 1244, Serbia still retains security and legal structures, including hundreds of police, members of the gendarmerie and secret police in the north of Kosovo. Furthermore, two important international actors, KFOR and especially EULEX, missions authorized by the Security Council, are not in a situation to implement their mandate due to the blockades”, stressed Minister Hoxhaj.

Minister Hoxhaj said that rule of law is not negotiable and should be the same for all. “Secondly, Serbia has failed to fulfill its obligations from all agreements reached last year in Brussels. Regardless of the partial implementation of the agreements on freedom of movement and free trade, all other agreements such as the return of civil registers and cadastral records, mutual recognition of school and university diplomas and integrated border management have not been implemented at all. With regard to telecoms, energy and regional cooperation, Serbia has failed to agree with the proposals made by Kosovo and the European Union”, added Minister Hoxhaj.

Talking about the European perspective of Balkan states, Minister Hoxhaj said that peace and stability between Kosovo and Serbia and the prosperity of the entire region depends on the decisions that will be taken soon in Brussels by the European Council.

Serbia cannot be rewarded with candidate status, without dismantling its police and security structures in the north of Kosovo

“If Serbia is rewarded with candidate status, without dismantling its police and security structures in the north of Kosovo, removing the barricades and fully implementing agreements, then the consequences will be short and long-term. The “status-quo” situation in the three northern municipalities of Kosovo will transform into a frozen conflict; the agreements reached through technical dialogue will not be implemented and the process of normalizing relations between Kosovo and Serbia will have no future”, said Minister Hoxhaj.

Minister Hoxhaj also addressed the announcement by illegal state structures of Serbia about their intention to organize a referendum in the northern municipalities of Kosovo.

“This year, when the elections will be organized in Serbia, Belgrade intends to organize them within the territory of the Republic of Kosovo as well. This constitutes a serious violation of Resolution 1244 and our state sovereignty. These possible events could represent a very damaging development for Kosovo’s stability and put into question the entire architecture of regional security”, added Minister Hoxhaj.

Finally, Minister Hoxhaj called on Serbia to give up from violence, destabilizing acts and provoking rhetoric.