TIRANA, April 11 – Hashim Thaà§i has been sworn in as the new President of Kosovo, in a ceremony boycotted by the opposition.
Thaà§i, a former Prime Minister who up to his election held the post of foreign minister, replaces Atifete Jahjaga as Kosovo’s new head of state.
Upon taking office, Thaà§i praised his predecessor for “her extraordinary” work during Jahjaga’s term in office. Thaà§i vowed that as the new President of Kosovo he will continue his commitment for a democratic, multiethnic and European Kosovo. He told parliament that he will be a unifying political and civic factor, representative of all citizens of Kosovo.
As Thaà§i was taking up his oath stones were hurled at the Kosovo parliament building in an attempt to disrupt the ceremony.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Albanian President Bujar Nishani, Prime Minister Edi Rama and Speaker of Parliament Ilir Meta among other foreign dignitaries.
After the inauguration ceremony, President Bujar Nishani had a meeting with the newly elected President of Kosovo Thaà§i, in which Nishani offered the full support of the institutions of the Republic of Albania for Kosovo to become a member of regional and international organizations.
Both presidents expressed their readiness for the intensification of bilateral relations, while President Nishani also highlighted the fact that an independent Kosovo is key to peace and security in the region.
Prime Minister Edi Rama also met with Kosovo President Thaci after the ceremony and congratulated him on the new duty. The talks also focused on the further strengthening of ties and bilateral cooperation, the Prime Minister’s office said in a press release.
Hashim Thaà§i was elected Kosovo’s president with 71 votes in the third round in February, after failing to receive the required two-thirds of the vote in the previous two rounds. His election was marred by opposition protests both inside and outside Parliament.
