The Balkans Project

“Kosovo will be an example of tolerance and multiethnic society for the entire Europe,” said Hashim Thaçi, Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo yesterday while discussing his country’s future at the U.S. Institute of Peace.

In the style of a typical head of state, Thaçi spent the majority of his time citing examples of progress in Kosovo.  Despite its weak economy and the global financial crisis, the Prime Minister boasted that Kosovo has maintained solid economic growth and is in the process of reducing government participation in the economy in order to stimulate the private sector. He also touched on the success of infrastructure development projects, such as the building of new roads, schools, and medical facilities.

Of the challenges facing Kosovo, Thaçi identified the rule of law as the most pressing. “This is not only due to the fact that in the northern part of Kosovo illegal security structures which are being financed by Serbia are still operating,” Thaçi explained, “but also due to the fact that results in the fight against organized crime and corruption are still not satisfactory.” To overcome this difficulty, the Prime Minister cited the need for increased international cooperation and reform of Kosovo’s judicial system.

Consistently reinforcing the notion of Kosovo’s “irreversible independence”, Thaçi is optimistically awaiting the upcoming International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling on Kosovo’s Declaration of Independence, which will be announced on July 22. “I do not believe that a court anywhere, let alone ICJ, would be able to give an opinion against the will of the Kosovo citizens to live freely in their country,” said Thaçi.

Despite the claim that Kosovo is ready to engage in a constructive dialogue with all nations including Serbia, on several occasions the Prime Minister referred to on-going hostilities and tensions with Belgrade. For instance, he attributed the challenges of fully integrating the Serbs living in the north of river Iber to the “destructive role of Serbia.”

Averting questions regarding the potential war crimes of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), of which he is the former leader, and alleged mistreatment of ethnic Serbs living in Kosovo, Thaçi did lay out a short framework for Kosovo’s dialogue with Serbia:

1)    Solving the issues stemming from the war:

• Finding the missing persons;
• Return of the refugees in their homes and properties;
• Return of the documentation from Serbia;
• Issues for returning the pension fund for the citizens of Kosovo;
• Finalizing the border demarcation.

2)    Dialogue on regional cooperation:

• To eliminate barriers related to participation in regional initiatives and mechanisms;
• Overcoming obstacles to free movement of our citizens in Serbia and vice versa (recognition of passport, vehicle plates, etc);
• Water, electricity, CEFTA

3)    Dialogue on issues of mutual interests in creating a safe environment and economic development which includes cooperation in:

• Police, justice, customs, transport, electricity, education, etc.

However, the Prime Minister asserted that there will be no dialogue concerning Kosovo’s independence. “Our message is clear,” Thaçi proclaimed, “Kosovo exists and it is a functioning state – it existed yesterday, today, tomorrow, and forever.” Tomorrow, the ICJ ruling will either reinforce or challenge this statement.