Thaci, countries in the region: Do not fear my agreement with Serbia

Kosovo President Hashim Thaci at the European Forum in Alpbach, Austria, officially presented his idea for restructuring the borders between Kosovo and Serbia.

“The states of the region, EU member states or other states of the world should not oppose or fear a potentially peaceful agreement between Kosovo and Serbia, even if such an agreement could imply the correction of the” borders, Thaci said.

Full speech to President Thaci:

Thank you for the invitation and the selection of an important topic for the expansion of the European Union in the Western Balkans for this session.

We all share the view that the more the region advances towards the goal of EU membership, the better it is for all of us, because, simply, it means more stability, peace, regional co-operation, more foreign investment and a better life. Therefore, an enlargement policy, well implemented, has the potential to make the EU itself stronger and more united. The need to overcome conflicts, disputes, as well as resolve bilateral issues is in focus of the European Commission strategy. EU integration, as well as resolving bilateral issues and disputes between states in the Western Balkans, are closely linked. About twenty years after the end of the wars in the Western Balkans, all of our countries are marking concrete progress towards EU membership. In terms of sectoral technical reforms, we can talk about degrees of <x0 different levels of progress. But, as a whole, we are all at a relatively similar level of development and we face relatively similar challenges in terms of democracy, rule of law and economy. The desire to join the European Union is still strong in our region, and I call on the EU to exploit this moment to draw the region even closer. Just look at and analyze the latest positive developments in our region:

) Name agreement between Macedonia and Greece; The conclusion of the ratification process of border demarcation between Kosovo and Montenegro;

Albania's achievements in addressing issues pertaining to reforms in the area of rule of law and the pledge (contained) to open negotiations with Albania and Macedonia next summer;

A continuing dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia and entry into a final phase towards a final agreement on normalisation of relations and reconciliation.

All this happened because European integration is the foundation and final goal of the region. Therefore, I think it is important that all Western Balkan states should take harmonised steps towards EU membership, and that the EU does not allow any state to be blocked due to bilateral disputes or internal problems. All Western Balkan states are committed to implementing deep political and economic reforms and harmonising our laws, including economic reforms to strengthen public finances and macroeconomic stability, improve co-operation in domestic affairs and security to prevent illegal migration and share the burden of refugees. However, we should also be aware that the context in which our region is working towards EU integration is not easy. The EU's economic crisis, the migration crisis and referendum on Brex touched on and continues to influence commitment to the European perspective of the Western Balkans. In addition, there are other factors that are eager to expand their negative impact on the Western Balkans.

Ladies and gentlemen, we have already officially launched the final phase of Dialogue on the normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia under the leadership of High Representative Federica Moghrini. President Vuciq and I have been invited by Federica Moghrin to attend the third meeting of this final stage on September 7th.

Let me stress that Kosovo is committed to reaching a legally binding agreement with Serbia. The time to do this is now, and we have a small opportunity. It's not easy at all, it's very difficult. That's why everyone should support this opportunity. It is not just an issue of building an internal consensus on this agreement, but we need support from all those who want to see the Western Balkans in the EU. I am willing to do so, and I am constantly working toward that goal. Therefore, we have decided to consider every possible possibility, including the correction of the border, to make efforts to reach the agreement. The states of the region, EU member states or other states of the world should not oppose or fear a potentially peaceful agreement with Kosovo and Serbia, even if such an agreement could imply the correction of borders. I assure all that a possible agreement between Kosovo and Serbia, under this scenario, will not be along ethnic lines. Kosovo will remain a multiethnic society and will continue to maintain higher standards in the sense of protecting communities' rights. The same principle will apply to Serbia. Because, the final peace between Kosovo and Serbia -- mutual recognition -- will have positive reflections for the whole region and beyond. Perhaps this possible peaceful agreement is the single biggest contributor to the life-making agenda of EU enlargement in the Western Balkans.