New Kosova Report

PM Thaçi: Kosovo is a champion of democracy in the Balkans

Wednesday, 18 November 2009

The following is the full text of the Prime Minister’s remarks:

Firstly I would like to thank you, the journalists, for your ongoing coverage of this election period, including the campaign, Election Day and the reporting of election results. Thank you very much, personally and on behalf of the Government, for your untiring and high-quality work.

Today everyone in Kosovo should be very proud of our country’s success, for the success we have achieved in the local elections – the first held in independent, sovereign, democratic and multi-ethnic Kosovo. These are the first local elections in independent Kosovo, organized at the highest European and Western standards. The organization has been excellent – as I said yesterday and as I re-emphasize today – Kosovo has proven itself to be a champion of democracy in the region.

The local elections have definitely gone beyond their parameters.

Everyone took part in these elections. Proposals were put forward for the benefit of all the people of Kosovo, for the entire political spectrum, for all communities.

These elections were a referendum and a vote of confidence for the good governance in Kosovo.

The people and the institutions of Kosovo passed the test of democracy in independent and democratic Kosovo.

The local elections of November 15th were free, fair and democratic elections, with free competition, which were carried out with great maturity throughout the election campaign, on Election Day and with the administration of voting, as well as in the reporting of election results and the unanimous acceptance of the election results by the entire political spectrum.

Kosovo won, the people of Kosovo and the State of Kosovo were victorious.

It is particularly encouraging – and I thank all of Kosovo's citizens – for turnout in numbers greater than those in 2007.

I must thank everyone in the country, and all political parties and independent candidates, for their participation in these elections, elections which were for all communities.

I particularly thank, and I encourage in their new government position, the local authorities from the Serbian community who are now legitimate in a number of municipalities. I, as Prime Minister, the Kosovo Government and the Kosovo institutions are committed to implementing the Ahtisaari Plan.

Kosovo showed a mature democratic culture and a culture of state-building in these elections.

Kosovo demonstrated high standards, as these elections were organized by us locals, with international advice and full support.

This is the success of the State of Kosovo; we thank our international friends for their extraordinary support.

On behalf of the Government, I thank the entire international community, the United States of America, the European Union, all local and international monitors.

Today congratulations have been offered to the State of Kosovo, to our local institutions, for the people of Kosovo's mature culture of democracy. This includes messages of congratulations from Washington, from the European Union and from the authorities who work here in Kosovo, including the ICO. All of them consider that the elections had the highest European standards, the highest Western standards; they consider them excellent elections.

I want to thank the Central Election Commission. It has worked in a way that can be a model to others; it has worked to create a very good base for Kosovo’s democratic future.

I also want to thank the Kosovo Police for their very professional work, for their advice and suggestions, for their active participation in this national process. This is important for every Kosovo citizen.

I want to thank Kosovo civil society and the independent media – who showed professionalism decisiveness and bravery – in their meticulous work.

I want to re-emphasize that we are demonstrating a good example of our commitment, of the consolidation of our new state.
These elections have powerfully consolidated the Government and all its institutions.

With the full and effective success of our institutions, of our people – with these elections – we have come closer to Kosovo’s integration into the European Union and NATO.

We will continue with democratic reforms across the board, in politics, the economy and legislation.

The Republic of Kosovo will soon have visa liberalization for all its citizens, along with trade relations and dialogue on Stabilization and Association.

We will continue with the highest standards of government, with good governance, with the rule of law, an uncompromising fight against negative phenomena, zero tolerance for corruption, with close cooperation with all international authorities.

I am looking forward to the priorities which we have at central level, but also at local level, with legitimate authorities, authorities which will continue with project implementation for the benefit of all citizens.

This is an historical success for the Republic of Kosovo, and for Kosovo’s institutions and its people.

Once again, I thank all the political parties and all the people of this country for this extraordinary success.

Thank you!

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bluerose799 said:

	... Imposed by EU, EULEX and France in favor of Serbia… Which could he disastrous to the Interesis of the people of KOSOVA: )
	report abuse vote down vote up