Thaci: We'll have the Army in 2018

President Thaci has also talked about election processes this year. He has said 2017 was a year of achievement despite many challenges.

“We have passed two sets of elections, the general ones in June and those for municipal and municipal assemblies in October. These two electoral processes have once again witnessed the maturity of Kosovo politics and society in general. This has paved the way for the formation of the new government, new municipal assemblies and the election of new mayors of Kosovo municipalities”, he has said.

The president has said that the Government of Kosovo and elected mayors should now work hard to realise the defined priorities and improve the lives of citizens.

When we are in free elections, let me stress that I have not given up my job of working together with political parties to successfully complete the election reform process. I consider that most of the work in this direction has been completed and during the following year, we have to complete this process. Despite the fact that central and local elections have consumed a lot of time and energy, however, as president in co-ordination with other institutions, I have continued working on implementing priorities of state importance”, President Thaci has said.

A top priority in this regard, he has said it was also the continuation of work on establishing the Kosovo Armed Forces.

“This is a natural and necessary state process, which comes as a result of the work of KSF members who have raised the level of preparation and are now ready for new tasks and competencies. The Kosovo Security Force is a multiethnic force in which over 10 per cent of its members come from non-communal communities”, he has said.

The Kosovo Armed Forces, the president has said they will preserve and strengthen multiethnic character. We are now almost in the final phase of our efforts to ensure the support of the FAK's founding process through constitutional changes. We are doing this and will do it in full co-ordination with NATO and other strategic partners. I assure you today that Kosovo during 2018 will have its own protective capacity -- a modern army that will contribute to peace and stability in the region and throughout the world” -- has claimed President Thaci. Speaking of Kosovo's security, the president has said he is proud that our state is a leader in the region in fighting extremism, radicalism and terrorism.

Our commitment has been appreciated by all leaders of the free and democratic world. I use this opportunity to thank all national security mechanisms that have contributed to maintaining order and security in Kosovo, but also in the region”, he has said.