The joint commitment of both countries towards European Integration was the topic of discussion at the meeting between Deputy Prime Minister of Kosova, Mr.Slobodan Petrovic and Deputy Prime Minister of Albania, Mr. Edmond Haxhinasto. 26 May 2011, Prishtina
The joint commitment of both countries towards European Integration was the topic of discussion at the meeting between Deputy Prime Minister of Kosova, Mr.Slobodan Petrovic and Deputy Prime Minister of Albania, Mr. Edmond Haxhinasto.
Deputy Prime Minister of Albania, Edmond Haxhinasto said that Albania has supported and will support Kosovo’s integration in all regional initiatives.
Both, Deputy Prime Ministers agreed on cooperation between Albania and Kosovo, especially in big projects of road infrastructure, energy, which are rapidly progressing in both countries, contributing to the development of an integrated market without physical barriers and non physical, between two countries.
After the meeting, Deputy Prime Ministers, Mr. Petrovic and Mr.Haxhinasto have given a joint press conference.
Conference of Mr. Haxhinasto and Mr. Petrovic:
It is great pleasure that today I received in a meeting Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Local Government of Kosovo, Mr.Slobodan Petrovic. I thanked him for his extraordinary contribution in the integration of the Serb community in political, economic and social in order to bring Albanian and Serb communities closer to each-other. Thus, the joint challenges of Albanians and Serbs in Kosova could be creation of a society with a new vision for the future that sees Kosova as part of the European Union. We discussed issues of bilateral agenda between Albania and Kosovo, emphasizing the need for cooperation in all fields: in the political field, in the joint road infrastructure and in energy, in the removal of all barriers that exist between our countries, in order to undertake the secure steps towards integration of our two countries.
I also have repeated the support of the Republic of Albania for the dialogue process between the Republic of Kosova and the Republic of Serbia. This is a dialogue on technical issues and practical, that will bring difference in quality of life of the both communities. This process will bring a new rhythm for integration of Kosova into the European Union. It is imperative that, soon, for Kosovo to start the preparation of the road map for liberalization of the visa in the Schengen space, and the start of the process of Stabilization and Association Agreement with the European Union.
Serbia, must understand these realities in Kosovo and it should work in their functioning, as we know that the process of international recognition of Kosovo and road of its integration in Europe, are unstoppable. Today, no one should not be obsessed with the issues of territories. Today, everyone should be focused on issues, such as: quality of life and in the European integration of all citizens of Kosovo, Serbia and the region. I am very pleased that Mr. Petrovic is one of those who, with his role with his political activities, think that the future is shared and works for this purpose.
Mr.Petrovic: I have the pleasure and privilege to be in a visit in the Republic of Albania. This is the second day of my visit. Yesterday, we conducted a meeting with the President of State, Mr. Bamir Topi. Today we had a fruitful and pleasing meeting with Mr. Haxhinasto. Our visit is omnifarious, with a delegation that includes all institutions of Kosova, those central and local as well as the institution of the President of Kosovo. I, thank the citizens of Albania for the support that they are giving us, as the citizens of Kosovo. As Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Local Government and as the representative of institutions of the Serb community, I would like that on behalf of the citizens of Kosovo to thank the government of Albania and its citizens for their support, and concretely the donation of 400 thousand euros for the new municipality of Gracanica. Deputy Prime Minister, Mr.Haxhinasto has mentioned topics for which we have discussed. Our common agenda is towards the European Union. We must work together to achieve the required standards.
I would like to give a message for opening a new page in our lives, and to leave aside the history to the historians and we, as the selected by our citizens to represent them, to work together for a better standard of living for the future. In the spirit of pro-European policy, I would like to tell you that we are trying to succeed as the Government of Kosova, but we also should rejoice successes of our neighbors, namely the Republic of Albania. I would use the opportunity to wish you success in your path towards integration and also to liberalization of visa, with the wish that also the citizens of Kosovo have the chance to win. I thank the representatives of the Albanian state with whom I held meetings and I am sure that I will come back to Kosovo with good opinions from this two-day visit. I assure Mr. Haxhinasto that I will work further in the interest of all citizens in all municipalities. I am sure that in this journey,we will have the help of Brussels and Washington, and our neighbors, of the Republic of Albania. Thank you very much.
Journalist: A question for both Deputy Prime Ministers. In the background of the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia that you have already mentioned, circulate rumors about partition of Kosova. What is your opinion?Mr.Haxhinasto: Partition of Kosovo as well as the exchange of territories, changes of borders, the creations of ethnically pure states, have a common destiny-all have ended with failure, bleeding, very large cost, especially for the peoples of those countries that have promoted them. These theses are archaic and completely contrary to integration spirit and the European spirit that has embraced our region with his future. Therefore, I think that such theses should not be taken seriously, those as such are failed. The Republic of Albania rejected such theses. We support a different philosophy that is the philosophy of integration, of the abolition of borders, free movement and full integration that is the philosophy of values, which lie at the foundation of European Union and in our philosophy for foreign policy.
Mr. Petrovic: It is known that we support negotiations between Serbia and Pristina, with the wish to have results in the interest of citizens. As we mentioned earlier, such projects in multiethnic states unfortunately in the past have had many casualties. Naturally, that we all want to be the part of the European Union.Our program is that we should work towards the integration. The issue of separation has not been supported neither by Brussels nor by Washington and from practical experience, we against these separations. We, as government, will try to create better living conditions for everyone and therefore we must work more.Journalist: What is the attitude of internationals about the elections?
Mr. Haxhinasto: The attitude of the Internationals about the elections will be clearly given by the final report of the OSCE / ODIHR, for the whole process. What has resulted and is confirmed by yesterday’s statement of Mr. Countryman is that these were the best elections ever organized in Albania. Already, legal issues for which there was discussion will be reviewed in the respective institutions. I wish that everyone to be patient and respect the institutions for the expression of the final decision.
The evaluation for these elections is the most positive that we ever had. I believe that such will be also the evaluation after realization of functional tasks of institutions, which implement the appeals process – and here I refer to the CEC and the Electoral College, in order that Albania to be committed then in a speedy process, to realize its key challenge – that of the European Integration.