By Ambassador Skender Durmishi*
Remarks made at an event in Tirana marking Kosovo’s 15 years of indepdence.
Kosovo is celebrating 15 years of statehood. But progress is even bigger than the age of the state. During the last year, although under pressure of crises and global challenges, we succeeded to keep positive trend, even economically, with the highest increase of budgetary incomes, and financial sustainability.
Rule of law and anti-corruption are ranked highly as priority of the Government. Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index Report showed that Kosovo is ranked 20 places up.
Kosovo has been well positioned in music, visual arts and cinematography internationally. Our sport clubs are scoring excellent results in a global competition, making us immensely proud.
Judoka Distria Krasniqi brought gold medal from Paris Grand Slam a few days ago. So, Kosovo brings freshness and better performances, not only in sports, in international associations and competitions!
Next year Kosovo citizen’s will travel to EU countries without visas .We are thankful to those who trusted us and contributed to this decision to be taken after years of stalemate. Long delayed path was unjustified, but didn’t affect at all willingness and pro-European determination of Kosovo.
Application for membership to CoE and EU is another step to be remembered from the Year 2022. We have absolute support of citizens along the EU path. Let me bring to Your attention that values of CoE and EU are already part of our constitutional order and institutional life.
Kosovo respects and implements voluntarily EU foreign Policy. Solidarity with Ukraine was a demonstration of a such determination side by side with our Euro-Atlantic allies.
Currently we are in the process to consolidate international position. For the moment, Kosovo is recognized by 117 countries. This is a number nor preferred, neither deserved. But, we hope and expect the others to recognize Kosovo as soon as they overcome some prejudices and hesitations and to evaluate the facts about the democratic state we are building.
I am referring mostly to positive developments, not because of festive mood, but achievements in the times of crises have more significance and added value.
Kosovo, of course, will have challenges to face, like increasing recognitions of our state, which remains a serious duty to our foreign policy. Preparedness to cope with consequences of global crises, as well.
Certainly, Kosovo will have still to face challenges, but for sure Kosovo will have, as well, strong will and resilience to overcome any challenges in our strive to build a modern and prosperous state. For this sublime goal, we will always have enough energy and willingness.
Let me now say a few words about cooperation between Kosovo and Albania. Our interstate relationship is entirely special; such is our cooperation with its spontaneous course.
It’s with pleasure and solemnity that I can say: We have very good level of cooperation politically, economically, in foreign policy, in culture. Practically in all areas. We have already adopted about 180 agreements, protocols, and memoranda. Being as such, maybe, the number of agreements has lost the significance as an indicator.
To put shortly: All the areas of cooperation are covered with legal infrastructure with a purpose to make possible, facilitate and be an incentive for cooperation.
Some of those agreements might be considered of historic significance. For example, the decision about the Railway Durres-Prishtina, Dry Port in Prishtina, new crossing border point we had not so fare, a unique book for beginners in Albanian language, etc.
Now, the challenge remains in the quality of cooperation, implementation of agreements. Regarding this, for sure, we can do more. More production, more exports, more projects based on the economic complementarity, more cultural exchanges in arts, sport leagues, etc.
More dynamics and synchrony of cooperation in foreign policy.
When it comes to foreign policy, both countries follow identical principles and orientations. The Republic of Kosova and the Republic of Albania have their Euro-Atlantic orientation not only as a political objective, but the state and national identity, as well.
Albania, to her good luck, and to our great pleasure, has good results in foreign policy. To mention some: The mandate in the UN Security Council, well deserved trust to host organization of EU-WB Summit, extraordinary step about negotiations with EU, Tirana as European Youth Capital, now of sports, etc.
About this iron-like principle we do not allow and do not accept compromises. We consider a partner, even a friend, anyone who elevate good name and image of Albania and anyone who stands for cooperation with Kosovo.
Kosovo welcomes any successes of Albania. This is well known to you, thus instead for long wording let me refer to a great Kosovar from the glorious days of idealists and brave men:
”We are well when Albania is well”!
This is anniversary of the Kosovo’s State. Our gathering today is dedicated to this purpose, while in respect to the jubilee, I am asking and waiting you to join in the activities we plan during the year here in Tirana or in other cities of Albania.
