Viennese diplomatic magazine “Cercle Diplomatique et Economique International” presents the Republic of Kosovo
Forty years old, the “Cercle Diplomatique et Economique International” is the main magazine for diplomats and international organizations, and also about industrial and social issues in Vienna.
The magazine published a message by Prime Minister Thaçi, a long interview with Minister Hoxhaj and an interview with Ambassador Kiqmari, which presents the continual progress being achieved in Kosovo, internal state-building processes, the advancement and strengthening of the international subjectivity of the Republic of Kosovo, its prospects of integration in the European Union and challenges confronting the newest state in Europe.
In the message titled, “Kosovo’s progress”, Kosovo’s Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi said amongst other things that the process of Kosovo’s state building has been long, but is near successful completion this year, when it is anticipated that the international supervision of independence will be formally ended.
“This marks a new and historic moment in Kosovo’s modern history and everyone who has worked hard for Kosovo’s independence should be proud. From now onwards and for always, Kosovo will be a sovereign and independent state, it will share western values and will remain a trustworthy partner of the international community. Our country’s goal and determination to become a full member of the European Union, NATO, UN and other organizations is unshakeable”, said Prime Minister Thaçi.
Then, the Prime Minister described recent developments in Kosovo, the role of international mechanisms, normal inter-ethnic relations, and full respect for the rights of minorities.
“Although we still have work to do to integrate the Serb community in the north of Kosovo, we fully control our borders and have an agreement with Serbia for Integrated Border Management (IBM). Our economy has grown each year since independence in 2008, despite the financial crisis which has affected our natural markets since then and despite the disadvantages we have suffered because of Serbia’s non-recognition and that of various EU countries”, said Thaçi, adding that Kosovo has no international debt.
In the international sphere, the Prime Minister said that the majority of the world’s states have either formally recognized Kosovo bilaterally or have voted for Kosovo’s membership as a state in international financial institutions and that this majority will increase.
“Kosovo will continue to be built on the achievements we have made up to now, conscious that we have now built the foundations for the future. We will try to increase the rhythm and quality of our progress”, said Thaçi, adding that much has been achieved in Kosovo in the last four years, that many challenges remain and also, many opportunities. “We as the young Europeans of Kosovo are ready to use these opportunities and to successfully confront these challenges”, said the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi, in the message published in the “Cercle Diplomatique et Economique International”.
In a long interview in this magazine with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kosovo, Enver Hoxhaj, titled “Kosovo’s European Future”, the strengthening of relations between Austria and Kosovo was addressed, as well as lobbying to increase the number of recognitions, the challenges facing Kosovar diplomats, progressive developments in internal state building, Austria’s role in making Kosovo functional, dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia mediated by the EU, Kosovo’s EU integration perspective and that of other countries in the region and the elements characterizing the Republic of Kosovo and its future prospects.
Among other things, Minister Hoxhaj said that Kosovo’s independence has brought peace, security and stability to the Western Balkans region, noting the fact that neighboring states (with the exception of Serbia) and 22 European Union states have recognized Kosovo’s independence.
“The geographical extent of recognition of the Republic of Kosovo is global. We expect that during this year, we will be in a position to ensure recognition from the majority of members of the United Nations. We strongly trust that after the decision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which reinforced that the declaration of Kosovo’s independence was in accordance with international law, no state has any reason to not recognize our independence”, said Hoxhaj.
Regarding Kosovo’s internal progress, Hoxhaj said that Kosovo’s institutions have undertaken serious steps in order to reform the legal system and strengthen rule of law and that the war against corruption and organized crime is one of the key priorities of the Government.
With regard to Kosovo’s integration into the European Union and that of other countries in the region, Minister Hoxhaj said that it is not possible to talk of a complete and free, democratic and peaceful Europe, without resolving the problems of the Western Balkans.
“The Government and citizens of the Republic of Kosovo see the issue of European integration as a strategic interest which means progressing in two directions: democratization and supervised independence and at the same time, moving toward full membership in the European Union”, said Hoxhaj, reconfirming Kosovo’s citizens strong European aspiration for integration and hard work of the institutions to fulfill the criteria required.
In the Viennese diplomatic magazine, a long interview was published with the Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo to Austria, Sabri Kiqmari titled “Kosova 4 years after independence”, in which amongst other things, he presented the work, priorities and key commitments of Kosovo’s diplomatic mission and Kosovo’s goal to continually strengthen relations with the Republic of Austria, as one of Kosovo’s strategic partners.
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