Pacolli: This is the only way to solve interethnic conflict

So said Republic of Kosovo Foreign Minister Behgjet Pacolli, in his address to the Atlantic Council Conference in the future “Investment panel: Can entrepreneurs fix the Balkans?

I have always been aware that only economic development can naturally solve interethnic conflict, including in our region”, Foreign Minister Pacolli has indicated, stressing the importance of creating the Free Economic Zones, which they may have in this direction.

The region has 20 million people, with an average low per capita income, less than ten thousand dollars a year. As you can see, we are the poorest region in Europe. On the other hand, the region has the potential to provide better living opportunities for its people, with higher incomes, as it has qualified human resources, numerous natural resources, a new and dynamic population, favourable climate conditions, good geographic location, access to the European market”, the minister Pacolli stressed.

Following the presentation, he also unveiled his vision of steps and actions, which would affect a sustainable and rapid economic development of Western Balkan countries.

“Sooftuire, or my business treatment for Balkan political diseases, among other things predicted the debacle of {status-quosʹ in economic relations between our countries and its leading players...; destruction of monopolies: dominant positions of countries in agriculture, energy, air traffic... I know very well that Serbia is dominant in our country with transport, agriculture, energy, airspace...; injecting the best organisational practices in our companies; Public Private Partnerships; changing development patterns, liberalising our economies; upgrading the service industry through modern management, excises in the capital market; strengthening the infrastructure of all kinds and making good use of the human and natural resources of countries in the region; making a regional economic integration and depoliticisation of state-owned companies in the region, such as air traffic companies, railways, power generation systems, power transmission systems, management of highways, mining and other fields, which have to be integrated into international facilities with regional or PMS, and professional management, the Ministry has been able to provide the country's credit management.

He also invited companies from the host state to increase their presence and investments in the region and in Kosovo.

There is room for more American companies and let them find the incentives needed to engage in this major development challenge. There are many possibilities for these companies such as free access to the EU market...”, he said.

At the same panel discussion with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pacolli was his counterpart from the neighbouring Serbia state, Ivica Dacic. In the margins of this conference, Minister Pacolli met at a joint informal meeting with counterparts from neighbouring states, those from the region, as well as senior officials from the host state.