Thaçi: The time of wars is over, dialogue is now most important

PRIŠTINA, (Patria) - Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi said, addressing ambassadors of European Union countries, the USA, and heads of KFOR, OSCE and EULEX missions, that now is the time for a "great historic agreement between Kosovo and Serbia", his office announced.

- We cannot go back because the history of relations between Kosovo and Serbia is a tragic story. We cannot stand still or in a stalemate, nor do we have anything to wait for, because lagging behind and waiting in resolving relations between Kosovo and Serbia is precisely an invitation to tensions, destabilization, major problems, not only among us, but in the entire region - Thaçi said.

According to him, neither Kosovo nor Serbia have time to waste, and in the coming months they should reach an agreement on the complete normalization of relations.

- Kosovo is tired of lagging behind in the process of internal and international consolidation. Partly because Serbia interferes in Kosovo's affairs, partly because the EU failed to create a consensus to recognize Kosovo, or because many thought that things would resolve themselves over time in and around Kosovo. It turned out that such thinking was completely wrong - Thaçi said.

He stated that Kosovo seeks a permanent agreement with Serbia, meaning that it should not be "just another temporary agreement, which will only prolong problems for a few years".

- For us, the complete normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia represents formal, reciprocal mutual recognition of Kosovo and Serbia. Third, we rightly strive for this agreement, through formal mutual recognition of Kosovo and Serbia, to open the possibility for us to become a member state of the UN, OSCE and NATO, and to truly provide us with a perspective for EU membership - Thaçi said.

Thaçi stated that reciprocal recognition of the two states could be accompanied by an agreed process on border correction between Kosovo and Serbia.

- Again, I need to be very clear: This process will mark the end of the conflict between Kosovo and Serbia that has lasted for more than a century, not the beginning of a new conflict. The time of wars and conflicts between Kosovo and Serbia, in my conviction, is over. The end of this era can only be confirmed when we reach a major political agreement with Belgrade - Thaçi said.

He also said that the agreement between Belgrade and Pristina will contribute to peace and stability in this part of the Balkans.

- We have excellent neighborly relations with Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania. That will be forever among us. And of course we strive to have very good relations with Serbia as well, in the near future - Thaçi said.

According to Thaçi, if an agreement on the complete normalization of relations is reached, it will have no consequences on the multi-ethnic character of Kosovo society and on the set of rights of minority communities in Kosovo, which are guaranteed by the Constitution and laws.

- As the President of Kosovo, I am certain, as are all Kosovo institutions, that we are and will remain the guarantor of preserving Serbian religious and cultural heritage in Kosovo, especially that which is connected to the position of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

He said that, as in the past, he will act in full coordination with Kosovo's international partners.

- I know it will be very difficult to reach an agreement. It has its fierce opponents here in Kosovo, but also in Serbia. I know that this entire process carries uncertainties and numerous risks. But there is no greater risk for us as Kosovo than to continue being in this stalemate as a state and as a society - Thaçi concluded.