Topi In Prishtina: Belgrade To Respect Kosova’s Independence

PRISHTINA, Jan 8 – Albanian President Bamir Topi warned Serbs not to instigate further the recent hostilities ion the northern city of Mitrovica covered with many incidents between the Serb minority and Albanians during the last days.
Topi was on his two-day visit to Kosova, the first in an independent Kosova.
Topi was welcomed by his Kosovar counterpart Fatmir Sejdiu and also met with Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, held a speech at the parliament and had many other contacts in his first trip abroad this year.
In the talks with his hosts President Topi promised to strengthen bilateral economic ties, that is practically extinguish borders between the two countries, to complete the new road Durres-Morini to the border of Kosova and work to include Kosova in the European integration process also undertaken by Tirana.
Referring to the incidents of recent days in northern Mitrovica, Topi called them “provocations” linked with “the background of Serbian nationalism.”
Topi said that those incidents “do not belong to the new Kosova, now walking towards European integration.”
Topi said that “the Kosova institutions and the Albanian people have responded with a constructive attitude,” adding that police and international troops would not allow challenging of the sovereignty, integration and security in the new state.
Topi reiterated the will from ‘Tirana to play a role in protecting Kosova’s integrity.’
The Albanian president also called on Serbia to also respect the rights of the ethnic Albanian minority in southern Serbia at the Preshevo valley, mainly populated by Albanians.
“We would like that this integration was supported by Serbia as well that should be interested in the Serbs living here through collaborating with the Kosovar institutions. Respecting and guaranteeing the human rights is a universal principle. It should also be guaranteed in Albania, Serbia, Kosova, in central Albania, in Mitrovica and at the Preshevo Valley,” he said.
President Topi also set his signature at the NEWBORN statue downtown Prishtina set since independence last year.
Topi is accompanied by his spouse, lawmakers and businessmen.