October 18, 2022
Merci Monsieur le President,
I thank the SRSG and Head of UNMIK, Ms. Caroline Ziadeh, for her briefing and welcome her presence in the Chamber.
I welcome the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora of the Republic of Kosova and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia to this meeting.
We have carefully read the report of the SG on UNMIK that covers the last six months. It reflects important developments in an ever-strengthening democratic country, an important player in regional frameworks, member of different regional and international organizations, working closely with UN Founds, Programs and Agencies, aspiring to join to the EU and NATO, with a clear vision for its Foreign Policy’s orientation. I would like to commend the Republic of Kosova and its authorities for progress registered.
We find it nonetheless surprising that the war in Ukraine and its multifaceted impact is not mentioned in this report, including Kosova’s unequivocal condemnation of the aggression, another testimony of its strong commitment to the International Law and Human Rights. We applaud its alignment with EU foreign policy including sanctions and the generosity in receiving refugees and displaced persons from Ukraine, just as they did with refugees from Afghanistan.
The sustained efforts to fight against corruption and the enforcement of Rule of Law in Kosova deserves due recognition and rightly so. It shows the resolve of the Government to build a country for the citizens and by the citizens. The Freedom House report “Nations in Transit 2022”, published recently, highlights an increase in the democratic governance, the judicial framework and its independence. We encourage the Government to continue on this path.
Despite all this, for 23 years now, a peacekeeping Mission remains stuck there by a frozen SC Resolution, a relic of bygone times and realities, and in odds with current domestic and regional political context.
In this regard, let me reiterate our position: the situation in Kosova is no longer a matter of peace and security. Keeping it as an issue under Chapter WII is baseless and speaking of peacekeeping there is meaningless. Our region has moved ahead, has transformed, way more than polemics tend to show sometimes.
In our view, UNMIK has had its days. We join the UK and the US in the call for a thorough review in order to make sure that UNMIK’s work and role do not evolve in inertia but reflect the tremendous change Kosova and its population have gone through.
There are a lot of overlapping areas in the priorities of the international presence in Kosova, especially among UNMIK and the OSCE. They represent different constituencies, but looking for synergies in close cooperation with the Government would make the investment more impactful. We remain convinced that it would be better to invest some of those 42 million spent yearly for UNMIK in areas where Kosova has real and more acute needs. After all, the UN can only make an impact anywhere only if it aligns with the needs and priorities of the host country.
Mr. President,
I have said it before and would like to reiterate it again: the EU-facilitated Dialogue between Kosova and Serbia has our full and unreserved support, and we call the parties to accelerate it.
We welcome the last meeting in Brussels, restoring high level contacts between parties which lead, among other, to an agreement on the freedom of movement. We also expect the Road Map on Energy Agreement as well as the issues of the car plates to be implemented as soon as possible. They have a direct impact on citizens but are also important steps for increased confidence building in tackling the core issue: a comprehensive agreement on full normalisation of relations leading to mutual recognition.
Albania highly appreciates the very active role of the EU High Representative Miroslav Lajcak, of the US Special Envoy and DAS, Gabriel Escobar, as well as the involvement of foreign and security policy advisers of the President of France and the German Chancellor.
This is an impressive high-level line-up support which cannot and should not be wasted. It should serve as a catalyser to accelerate talks on core issues, make history and change the Western Balkans once and forever.
Finding the right and just solutions to challenging situations requires wisdom and creativity; sustained and genuine efforts; courage and vision.
This is what leaders are called for: to lead rather than follow, and, if needed, to take risks for the greater good.
In this respect, we think it is time to reduce SC meetings to only one per year as a recognition of the progress but also as un encouragement for the parties to pursue dialogue with more determination.
Parties would achieve more – as they have done – by sitting, talking and agreeing in Brussels rather than disagreeing in New York.
Mr. President,
The rule of law is fundamental for every society. We support the Government in its efforts to exert its lawful authority throughout the territory. No one should be allowed to disrespect the law, create tensions, incite violence.
In this respect, we strongly condemn consecutive attacks against Kosova police in April, in two municipalities, and commend the firm positioning of SRSG Ziadeh in this respect.
Colleagues,
I will not tire mentioning the new environment we have created in the Western Balkans where we look at each in the face, with hope and not suspicion; where we come together in joint efforts and common projects, looking for shared benefits and not to take undue advantage over neighbors.
This is the foundation of our current bilateral relations with Serbia, where we join also in our respective efforts in the path to European integration and the regional cooperation, including through Open Balkans.
All Western Balkan countries seek and pursue European Integration. We know we can achieve it only by building a democratic, developed and prosper society, by deepening regional integration, with justice and accountability, with respect for human rights and freedoms for all citizens, in particular, through exemplary respect for national minorities, not only as a substantial element of the European integration and the human rights values, but also as important lessons learned from the past.
Serbia is in its right to ask for high standards for the Serb minority in Kosova and we encourage and support Kosova authorities to keep this issue as high as possible in their development agenda. For the sake of truth, we must recognize that Kosova’s legal framework on minorities is one of the best and should serve as an example for elsewhere in the region.
Including in Serbia, and I refer to allegations and complaints of ethnic Albanians from the Preshevo Valley, in South Serbia, on what is known to be the “passivization” of residential addresses of ethnic Albanians living there.
We know it very well, where there are grievances, there are problems. And the best way to deal with problems is to take them upfront.
The treatment of minorities should be the mirror where we see the true progress we have made in building open and just societies for all.
Thank you