Bi-monthly newsletter of Ministry of Foreign MAY/JUN 2013 Affairs of Republic of Kosovo. No.10 Year III. The Netherlands Kosovo marks is a staunch The Week of supporter of Kosovo’s Tolerance and its debut with a independence Reconciliation Pavilion at the Five Questions for Dutch 20-26 May, 2013 interfaithkosovo.org Ambassador Robert Bosch in Kosovo Venice Biennale Kosovo’s NewDiplomatFollow our sites on Twitter: @MFAKosovo @InterfaithKosovo @germiahillconf INTERVIEW Minister Hoxhaj: The NEWS agreement will allow all Kosovars to enjoy political liberties The recent agreement between Kosovo and Serbia requires that all parallel structures such as police or courts in the Ser- bia-populated Northern Kosovo should be dismantled, Kosovo Foreign Minister Enver Hoxhaj told EurActiv Slovakia in an exclusive interview. Do you perceive the recent Agreement Prime Minister of Kosovo and Prime Minister of Serbia signed the agreement facilitated by EU Foreign Policy Chief Baroness Ashton on norma- lisation of ENVER relations HOXHAJ with Serbia EU insisting on normalization of as a victory Foreign for Kosovo? Minister The relations between Kosovo and Serbia Agreement between Kosovo and Serbia that The Republic of Kosovo gives significant priority to compliance with the outlines the guiding prin- ciples for the normalization of content and the spirit of the EU agreement inter-state relations is a victory for both countries. It is a victory of our European future above Following the historic EU agree- agreement to disband, in order plan is signed, with concrete im- ly. Successful implementation is the bitter past and an oppor- ment reached on April 19 in Brus- for Prishtina and Belgrade to ad- plementation on the ground can in the interests of both countries, tunity for inter-state political sels between the Prime Ministers vance in their separate EU inte- begin. This includes working as well as the wider region. Head reconciliation and persuasion of both Kosovo and Serbia, bro- grations. through domestic institutions, of the Kosovo Delegation Hajre- of good neighbourly relations. kered by EU foreign-policy chief Kosovo is committed in its ef- EULEX, KFOR and with the ac- din Kuçi emphasized the com- Notwithstanding this, the Catherine Ashton, the Dialogue forts to reach agreement on the tive participation of the Serbian mitment towards this, saying: Agreement is a victory that pre- is now focused on implemen- implementation plan and com- community living in Kosovo. “The delegation of the Republic serves Kosovo’s institutional, tation of the EU agreement be- mence actual implementation as The Kosovo government is of Kosovo appreciates the role of legal, and administrative unity tween the two countries. The EU soon as possible. The Republic of hopeful that the Government the European Union and our in- and functionality, as Serbia has as well as principle stakeholders Kosovo gives significant priority of Serbia will assume its obliga- ternational partners, the United accepted Kosovo’s political sys- such as the US, Germany and the to compliance with the content tions for the implementation of States and NATO in supporting tem and constitutional order. UK are insisting that both coun- and the spirit of the EU agree- the agreement and demonstrate the implementation of the agree- tries must now implement the ment. Once the implementation that it takes this process serious- ment.” CONTINUES ON PAGE 10 2 may/jun 2013 Kosovo’s New Diplomat Diplomatic Bits & Pieces 5 QUICK QUESTIONS SHORTNEWS FROM THE EMBASSIES Prime Minister Thaçi takes part in annual EBRD meeting The Netherlands The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci, attended the 22nd Annual Meeting Prime Minister of the European Bank for Reconstruction and De- Thaçi highlighted velopment, held in Istanbul this May. This is the is a staunch the country’s first time that Kosovo has been represented in this young enthusiastic particular economic forum, as Kosovo became the workforce, favour- 66th and newest member of EBRD last December. able fiscal policies, The Prime Minister made a speech at the meeting, supporter of Kosovo’s opportunities in where he presented on economic and political the energy and mining sectors reforms already achieved by Kosovo which have and accessibility to already improved the business climate, as well the regional and Euro- significant opportunities open to foreign inves- independence pean markets. tors. He highlighted the country’s young enthu- siastic workforce, favourable fiscal policies, op- portunities in the energy and mining sectors and Kosovo people - they are in accessibility to regional and European markets. general very nice, friendly and helpful Foreign Minister Hoxhaj in Athens: new chapter in relations What is the best thing about work- between Kosovo and Greece ing and living in Kosovo? 1 It is a very exciting place where a At the invitation of the Greek Minister of Foreign lot is happening and I am very happy to Affairs, Dimitris Avramopoulos, the Minister of be able to contribute in a positive manner Ambassador Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo, Enver to the further development of this young Robert Bosch Hoxhaj, paid an official visit to Athens on 8 March and sympathetic country, and to see to 2012. This was the first official visit of a Kosovo it become an even better place to live in Foreign Minister to Greece. During the visit, dis- for citizens of all ethnic backgrounds. cussions on bilateral issues included the recogni- Another nice feature here is the people tion of Kosovo by Greece, as well as the regional - they are in general very nice, friendly development and European integration. and helpful, this all makes living here, even when far from home and most loved relations are concerned, The Nether- ones, a lot less difficult. lands is a staunch supporter of Kosovo’s Hoxhaj: Proud of Kosovo’s role in defending Jews independence, territorial integrity and its How big is the Dutch presence in Euro-Atlantic ambition. Republic of Kosovo Minister of Foreign in Kosovo, saying: “We are very proud Kosovo? Affairs, Enver Hoxhaj, met represen- of the role the people of Kosovo had in 2 The Dutch community is, as far What is your favorite part of tatives from the Jewish community protecting the Jewish community dur- as we know, between 100 and 200 people. Kosovo? across the Balkans, who visited Kosovo ing difficult periods of history and we We do not know exactly how many, as 4 There is much to see in this for a conference held in Prizren. are very proud that Jews today are part Dutch citizen are not obliged to register country, especially as far as nature is Hoxhaj said that the Jewish community of the state-building process in Kosovo, themselves at the Embassy; this is done concerned. Rugova Valley is my favor- has been an important part of Kosovo’s which is being built on the three major in on a voluntary base. In addition, the ite, although there are still many places past and that it is a vital part of the principles of democracy, multi-ethnici- number of Dutch citizens which also that I have not investigated thoroughly multicultural and multiethnic society ty and secularism.” have Kosovar citizenship is not exactly enough, especially in the Prizren-Strpce clear. They are however welcome, as all area. Dutch citizens are, to our national day on Kosovo attends Summit April 30 2013 in Rron, when we celebrate What is your current reading list? the investiture His Majesty King Willem- I do have to read a lot for the of Caribbean States Alexander. 5 work, news clippings, papers and The Fifth Summit of Heads of State of the Asso- reports etc, in order to keep up to date. ciation of Caribbean States concluded in Port- How do you see Dutch-Kosovo But when I have time I also like to further Au-Prince, Haiti on 28 April 2013. The Republic relations developing? widen my horizon and read books on Atrending the Sum- of Kosovo was officially invited to participate in I think they are developing in different subjects not directly related mit was vitally im- this forum for the first time and was represented 3 portant as Kosovo a positive manner also due to all the to my present work. I just finished, for by Deputy Foreign Minister, Petrit Selimi. While looks toward business connections, albeit small instance, a book on Stalin during the securing recogni- in Port-au-Prince, Deputy Minister Selimi was businesses, which bring people closer German invasion in 1941 and after that tion from a number received by Michel Joseph Martelly, the President together. We also promote, when funds I now started reading a book on Cairo, of Members of this of Haiti, which had already recognized Kosovo in are available, contacts between Dutch dated 2002, dealing with the then rise of Association. 2012, and by the Prime Minister, Laurent La- and local youngsters. As far as bilateral militant Islam. mothe. Kosovo’s Kosovo’s New Diplomat is a bi-monthly publication of the Ministry of Foreign nos scimus, NewDiplomat Affairs of Republic of Kosovo / Publisher: Petrit Selimi / Editors of this issue: Astrit Zatriqi, Drilon Zogaj / This publication is supported by KS Talks EU non solum program of British Council Kosovo, sponsored by British Embassy in Prishtina and MFA Kosovo / Views expressed in the scribere publication do not necessarily reflect the views of sponsoring institutions or publisher / Contact: Government building, Mother Theresa str. PN, 10000 Republic of Kosovo; email: [email protected]; web: www.mfa-ks.net; Twitter: @MFAKosovo Kosovo’s New Diplomat may/jun 2013 3 Diplomatic Bits & Pieces EvERY ISSUE OF NEW DIPLOMAT WE WILL RECOMMEND BOOKS, REPORTS OR WEBSITES WITH INTERESTING AND NEWKOSOVOREADS UPdaTED CONTENT ON KOSOVO.