Prishtina, 13 December 2017 – The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi, has established the Preparatory Team for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
President Thaçi described the team that was presented today, as the first concrete step towards the concretization of this important initiative for our society and our future.
“Among the first initiatives that I have undertaken as president of the Republic of Kosovo, has been the initiative to establish the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. I clearly understand that this is an initiative that has awakened many reactions. We have expected this, but we have not expected that this initiative will receive so much support from the vast majority of Kosovo society and institutions. This has encouraged us, but has also obliged us to move forward with careful and safe steps”, he said.
President Thaçi has said that although nearly two decades have passed since the end of the war and no traces of conflict can be seen in the streets, but however there are still wounds in the hearts of the victims.
“These often become an obstacle for the future of our country, so I have initiated the establishment of Truth and Reconciliation Commission in order to conclude the chapter of war and open the chapter of peace for the future generations. At the heart of the work of the Commission will be the victims of war, acknowledgment of their suffering”, stated President Thaçi.
The head of state has especially thanked the representatives of the associations of families of missing persons.
“With their work, with the cooperation between them, with the commitment not to allow the repetition of the pain of war, they have become an inspiration for all of us. An inspiration were all the victims who have found the strength to share their sufferings, but also look beyond their pain, to look towards the future. What we intend with the Commission is to build a unified narrative for our past. To agree on the past, and not to fight for the past. This is how we will also agree in the future”, stated President Thaçi.
The President thanked the members of the Preparatory Team who have expressed readiness to be part of this noble, serious and difficult initiative, and added that he welcomed the engagement and the results of their work.
The Preparatory Team for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission will consist of 9 members, with 2 representatives from the Office of the President of the Republic of Kosovo, 1 representative from the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, 1 representative from the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo and 5 members from civil society. This team will also be supported by international experts, that will be engaged by the OSCE, Swiss Embassy and the United States Embassy. The task of the Preparatory Team is to prepare within a year the technical and legal infrastructure for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which is expected to be established by President Thaçi.