Thaci does not stop, presents foreign diplomats with correction of borders with Serbia

President Thaci has told them that it is time for the big historic agreement between Kosovo and Serbia.

We cannot go back because the story of the reports between Kosovo and Serbia is a tragic story. We cannot stay in the country or block, nor do we have what to expect, because the impasse and waiting in the resolution of reports between Kosovo and Serbia is precisely calls for tensions, for destabilision, for big problems, not just between us, but also throughout the region”, President Thaci has said.

President Thaci's full access to diplomatic missions of EU member states, KFOR, the OSCE, EULEX and the US Embassy:

Dear ambassadors,

Thank you for meeting again here, in this format, just a few weeks after we spoke perfectly and sincerely about the real situation in dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia about normalising relations, as well as the prospect of reaching the legally binding agreement between Kosovo and Serbia, as two independent states.

I told you then, I'll repeat it today: It's time for the big, historic arrangement between the two states.

We cannot go back because the story of the reports between Kosovo and Serbia is a tragic story.

We cannot stay in the country or block, nor do we have what to expect, because the impasse and waiting for the resolution of the reports between Kosovo and Serbia is precisely calls for tensions, for destabilisation, for big problems, not just between us, but also throughout the region.

We don't have time to lose, neither we, nor Serbia. We have to make the deal for full normalisation of relations in the coming months.

I'll tell them very frankly: Kosovo as a state, as a political one, as a society, is tired of being stuck in the process of internal and international consolidation.

Whether Serbia intervenes in Kosovo's state affairs or because the EU failed to create a consensus to recognise the state of Kosovo or because many have thought that over time, by themselves, things in Kosovo and around Kosovo will be resolved.

That thought turned out to be completely wrong.

I will now speak clearly how I see the final phase of dialogue between us and the authorities of Serbia.

First, as I highlighted last line, we like Kosovo target a permanent agreement with Serbia, not another transition agreement that only postpones things for several years.

Second, for us the complete normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia is formal, mutual recognition, between the state of Kosovo and the state of Serbia.

Third, we aim, rightly, through this agreement, through formal recognition between Kosovo and Serbia, to open up the possibility of becoming a member of the UN, the OSCE, the NATO Pact and to really offer us the prospect of EU membership.

Fourth, mutual recognition between the two states would also be followed by a process agreed on between the two sides for border correction between Kosovo and Serbia.

I must be very clear again: This process would mark the end of the long conflict over a century between Kosovo and Serbia, not the beginning of a new conflict.

Time of war and conflict, between Kosovo and Serbia, for my obedience, has passed. But the end of this era will only be found when we make the big political agreement between us and Belgrade.

Fifth, such an agreement between us and Serbia, here again I speak with full responsibility, will be contributing to the peace and stability of this part of the Balkans. We have excellent neighbourly reports with Macedonia, with Montenegro and with Albania. It will be forever between us. And we, of course, aim to have very good reports with Serbia, in the near future.

Sixth, if we reach the agreement aimed at full normalisation of relations with Serbia, it will have no consequences in terms of the multiethnic character of Kosovo society and the catalogue of minority communities' rights in Kosovo, guaranteed by the Constitution and by laws.

The seventh, I as the president of Kosovo, and I am sure of all Kosovo institutions, are and will remain the guarantor of preserving Serbian religious and cultural heritage in Kosovo, in particular in terms of the position of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo.

And eight, even in the past, will move forward in full co-ordination with you, our supporters and our international partners.

I know it's gonna be really hard to deal with. There are its strict opponents here in Kosovo, but also in Serbia. I know this whole process carries on many dangers and unknowns. But there is no greater danger for us like Kosovo than to continue to stay that way in a state of limbo and as a society.

Thank you for your attention.