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Diversifying the Priorities of Kosovo Diplomacy

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Bi-monthly newsletter of Ministry of Foreign JUN/JUL 2015 Affairs of Republic of Kosovo. No. 13 Year V. a Interfaith harmony is KOSOVO NOW The Genesis of a Jewel a key component of Kosovo’s geological Kosovo’s landscape RECOGNISED journey – from the 3 quick questions for Atifete Jahjaga, BY 110 Proterozoic to the President of Kosovo prehistoric and beyond STATES Kosovo’s NewDiplomatFollow us on Twitter: @MFAKosovo Diversifying the priorities of Kosovo diplomacy In the immediate aftermath of Kosovo’s Declaration of Independence, of international relations by lobbying for a prompt start of formal EU Kosovar diplomats were focused towards achieving widest possible spectrum accession, membership to multilaterals and working with allies in global of bilateral recognitions. Today, Kosovo’s diplomacy is diversifying portfolio issues such as countering violent extremism or climate change. osovo is the youngest We have signed hundreds of bi- in EU path. This agreement towards becoming a part of EU Inthe recent months nation in Europe, born lateral agreements with dozens showed that Kosovo is trans- family. European Commission wehave successfully in 2008 after an exten- of countries in the field of trade, forming itself from an importer has now approved the negoti- becomemember of K InternationalOlympic sive process of negotiations led investments, education, read- of security resources to an ated text of the SAA and we are Committee and by UN Envoy Marti Ahtisaari. missions, mutual cancellation exporter of peace initiatives. eager to move on by signing the observermembers Declaration of Independence of visas, etc. enabling Kosovo We are now rapidly enter- HASHIM SAA, achieving a fundamental- to Organization was challenged in International to engage in the intricate web ing a new age of Kosovo. Build- THAÇI ly important new cornerstone of Francophone Court of Justice, but ICJ gave of relations with neighbors, ing institutions and solid foun- in our relations to the world. Countries, a firm historic verdict that EU partners as well as wider dations for economy is opening DEPUTY We are also working to com- Kosovo’s Declaration of Ind- world. Kosovo’s recognitions path for a further democratic PRIME plete the application procedure pendence was not in breach of are global: from Australia and consolidation of institutions MINISTER for membership to Council of AND FOREIGN international law and relevant New Zealand to Norway and and a more complex and MINISTER Europe as well as UNESCO. UN resolutions. This decision Iceland, from Japan to Senegal, competitive economic develop- OF KOSOVO Kosovo has become a sovereign by ICJ prompted UN General most of the UN members now ments keen on attracting direct member of “Bretton Woods UN Assembly to initiate the talks recognize Kosovo. Even the foreign investments. agencies” such as World Bank on normalization of relations countries that have not yet Our foreign policy is and International Monetary between Kosovo and Serbia, recognized Kosovo, do rec- also changing – from an over- Fund, but considering our thereby ending once and for all ognize reality on the ground whelming focus on bilateral young population, member- the chapter of status for Kosovo. and engage with us and our recognitions to engaging with ship to UNESCO will provide I was the Prime Minister of the citizens. Almost 180 countries friends in the multilateral our institutions new means to country when we declared to now recognize Kosovo passport world. In the recent months improve our education, science be a sovereign and independent and other documents, hence we we have successfully become and culture, fields critical to republic and led the nation can proudly claim that Kosovo member of International Olym- overall human development. during the first stage of nation- today is an established fact in pic Committee and observer Kosovo is keen to play a building effort. The focus of our the international community. members to Organization of positive part in ensuring stable, diplomacy was rather uniform I have led the talks between Francophone Countries, while progressive and truly European and focused: to ensure that our country and our neighbors this year I have been focused future for all of the Balkans but biggest possible number of in Serbia to ensure normaliza- to help Kosovo achieve as soon is also seeking to use limited countries recognize Kosovo on tion of relations. This led to as possible a formal contract diplomatic resources to join bilateral basis. This work was historic Brussels Agreement in with EU, namely signing of those organizations that will very successful as Kosovo is 2013, by which both countries the Stabilization and Associa- benefit most the people of today recognized by 109 states. agreed not to block each other tion Agreement, the first step Kosovo from all ethnicities. 2 jun/jul 2015 Kosovo’s New Diplomat Diplomatic Bits & Pieces 3 QUICK QUESTIONS ATIFETE JAHJAGA, PRESIDENT OF KOSOVO DIPLONEWS FROM THE EMBASSIES Interfaith harmony is a key component of Kosovo’s landscape Kosovo’s Deputy PM meets How important is interfaith dia- logue as a feature of Kosovo’s public leaders of the region 1 diplomacy engagement? Following the 2014 national elections, Kosovo created a new Inter-religious harmony is a key compo- government in the beginning of 2015 and the new Deputy PM nent of Kosovo’s landscape and it is one of and FM of the country is Hashim Thaci, former PM nominated the values that we take great pride in. As for Nobel Peace Prize for his role in signing of the historic trea- such, this internal strength of harmony ty with Serbia. Thaci in recent weeks met Presidents, Prime and tolerance - some of it traditional and Ministers and Foreign Ministers of Macedonia, Montenegro, some regulated by Kosovo’s Constitution Albania, Slovenia, Croatia, Turkey in a carefully calibrated - has been a valuable asset of our foreign tour that focused on supporting Kosovo’s EU agenda. Thaci policy. We have been able to showcase our also hosted 6 foreign ministers in Prishtina for EU-sponsored unique cultural mosaic abroad and have conference on Western Balkans infrastructure projects. Serbia had a solid basis to invest in its preserva- attended for the first time such a meeting in Kosovo. tion and continuation. Because Kosovo represents such a unique case, in recent For example, we have extended years we have promoted it as an interna- property rights to the Serbian Orthodox Deputy PM / FM Thaçi participates in Oslo Forum tional hub for interfaith dialogue. That Church, and the government of Kosovo way Kosovo has not only set itself in the has completed the rebuilding of the Kosovo’s Deputy PM and FM Hashim Thaci participates in right path to earn its rightful recognition churches and other objects of cult that Oslo Forum of Peacemakers in June together with other world as a champion of interfaith dialogue in the were damaged in the war’s aftermath. leaders such as President of Columbia, Foreign Minister of region, but we have also managed to fight Kosovo police has now replaced NATO Jordan, etc. Thaçi was in a panel with Baroness Ashton and some of the misconceptions about our peacekeepers in providing security to PM Vucic of Serbia, discussing lessons learned from dialogue country. most of the monuments throughout Koso- between Kosovo and Serbia. Of course, to get to this point after a vo.Of course, a lot remains to be done, but horrific war required hard work and com- we are committed to uphold the principles mitment by the different faith communi- that lay at the foundation of our country. New Kosovo Ambassadors named ties to rebuild trust and to help the society We inherited a country destroyed, a heal and move on. land littered with the debris of shelled Foreign Ministry of Kosovo has sent for Presidential approval I have been encouraged by the readi- minarets and burned out churches, of the list of the new ambassadors that will represent Kosovo in ness and openness of our faith commu- communities estranged. several vacant posts. Leon Malazogu, with background from nities to cooperate with each other, but It has clearly been a learning process civil society will be proposed for Tokyo; Vlora Citaku, former to also bring forth the issues that are of for all of us, and my belief and hope is that EU minister and Consul General to New York will be proposed concern to their respective followers. we have learned the lesson well. There is for Ambassadorial post in Washington DC; New ambassadors It is precisely this model of Kosovo’s no more going back to the dark chapters of are also expected to be named for posts in Hungary, Montene- resilience and the ongoing dialogue that our history. We must seek justice and we gro, Canada as well as Consulate in Milano, Italy. has opened many doors, including a wel- must move forward. coming visit as the President of Kosovo to the Holy See and a chance to share this What are your favorite heritage Kosovo participating in 5th Global Forum experience with the Holy Father Pope spots in Kosovo? Combating Antisemitism Francis earlier this year. On the basis of 3 I’ve been welcomed to all faiths our common cultural traits built on the communities in Kosovo, which I have Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kosovo, Petrit Selimi, notions of peace and harmony that we made a point of visiting for every major had an official visit to Israel, where he participated at the 5th seek to protect, we have been able to create celebration, because I am a deep believer Global Forum for Combating Antisemitism, at the invitation important friendships that have secured that by walking in the paths of those be- of the Israeli Foreign Ministry.
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