Haradinaj in Berlin seeks Serbia's recognition

Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj, at the Berlin Summit, has called for Serbia to recognise Kosovo.

While calling historic the possibility of finding a lasting solution to problems in the region, Haradinaj has called on Germany to continue to defend Kosovo's right to citizenship and territorial integrity.

I also want to thank the stable German support for Kosovo's right to citizenship and territorial integrity as a condition for peace in the region. We ask you to continue to explain and protect this right in the EU, because as a small state, we have no capacity to reach everyone. I hope today's meeting can result in a new sense of individual and common responsibility for our collective future”, he said.

Haradinaj has also stated that without knowing the truth about the past, there can be no moving forward. The truth of Kosovo's past has said it is cruelty. According to him, it must now be understood that Kosovo is a state and that reality must be accepted. He has asked Serbia to recognise Kosovo.

It is clear that we cannot move forward until we accept the truth about the past and the reality of the present. The truth of the past is that Kosovo suffered atrocities and we had to start from zero. The reality of the present is that Kosovo is now an independent state and is marking political, economic and social progress. This is the reality we have to accept to move on. Serbia must recognise Kosovo's independence and sovereignty”, Haradinaj has declared.

He has said he vows to contribute to improve the lives of Serbs in Kosovo, while repeating that recognition is the starting point for progress.

“Note is the starting point for progress: not the final point. Without mutual recognition and mutual respect there can be no progress. Recognition will mean overcoming all other obstacles to progress. For example, there will be no need for trade barriers on either side. Recognition implies the permanent respect of existing borders. The revised borders would enable the beginning of a new wave of ethnic division and perhaps even the beginning of violence. We need unity, not separation. We need to open our borders, not to create new borders”, Haradinaj has said, among other things.

He has shown the platform for dialogue and has said that Kosovo is today ready to finalise unresolved issues with Serbia.

“Kancelare, President, honoured heads of State Delegations we share with you not only a European perspective, but also a global perspective. We want nothing more than the same rights as other countries enjoy, and that should include visa liberalisation. We want to accept our full responsibility as a member of the Western Alliance, in partnership with the United States of America. We believe it is in the interest of all of the United States to be guarantor of the solution, along with the European Union”, Haradinaj has said.

Haradinaj has posted on Facebook his full speech at the Berlin Summit called by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron:

My full word at the summit of Western Balkan countries, called by Chancellor Merkel and President Macro:

Dear Chancellor Merkel,
President Makron,
noble heads of the State Delegates,

I would like to express my gratitude for this important initiative. By taking this step, you have created a historic opportunity to find lasting solutions to the problems that have long divided us.

I also want to thank the stable German support for Kosovo's right to citizenship and territorial integrity as a condition for peace in the region. We ask you to continue to explain and protect this right in the EU, because as a small state, we have no capacity to reach everyone. I hope today's meeting can result in a new sense of individual and common responsibility for our collective future.

Clearly, we cannot move forward until we accept the truth about the past and the reality of the present.

The truth of the past is that Kosovo suffered atrocities and we had to start from zero.

The reality of the present is that Kosovo is now an independent state and is marking political, economic and social progress.
This is the reality we have to accept to move on. Serbia must recognise Kosovo's independence and sovereignty.

I want to present my personal and unconditional vow here to you that I will contribute to improve the lives of our Serbian citizens. I make this pledge without any offer from Belgrade. In fact, it is a pledge that we have applied after we have embedded all recommendations of the Ahtisaari plan in our constitution and laws.

Recognition is the starting point for progress: it is not the final point. Without mutual recognition and mutual respect there can be no progress. Recognition will mean overcoming all other obstacles to progress. For example, there will be no need for trade barriers on either side.

Recognition implies the permanent respect of existing borders. The revised borders would enable the beginning of a new wave of ethnic division and perhaps even the beginning of violence.

We need unity, not separation. We need to open our borders, and not create new borders.

The Kosovo government and parliament have mandated a national platform, as well as the delegation for the final phase of the dialogue process with Serbia, which will result in a comprehensive agreement that should be legally binding for mutual recognition.

We are willing, today, to finalise all outstanding issues between our two states.

Chancellors, President, honoured heads of State Delegations we share with you not only a European perspective but also a global perspective. We want nothing more than the same rights as other countries enjoy, and that should include visa liberalisation. We want to accept our full responsibility as a member of the Western Alliance, in partnership with the United States of America. We believe it is in everyone's interest that the United States of America be guarantor of the solution, together with the European Union.

I want to thank you for the opportunity you've offered to be here together. This is an important moment for us, and I believe it is important even for Europe's future.

RH