The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Mrs. Atifete Jahjaga, related to the last night and today actions of the Police of the Republic of Kosovo undertaken based on the decision of the Prime Minister, after internal and external reports and notifications, gives this statement:
The action of the Police of the Republic of Kosovo, according to the decision of the Government to take control of points 1 and 31 of the border crossings between the Republic of Kosovo and the Republic of Serbia, to respect the decision of reciprocity measures at the customs crossing between the two countries, is an action that has the full support of the people and of all political entities in Kosovo, but also international support, because it is the sovereign and legitimate right of the state to have control throughout its territory. We had much hope in the dialogue process between the Republic of Kosovo and the Republic of Serbia which was held in Brussels with European Union mediation, which helps the citizens of both countries to resolve the issues which since 1999, with decision from Serbia, have become barrier for free communication between people and for exchange of goods being thus deprived of the basic rights and freedoms.
Since Serbia withdrew after the last round of discussions without any grounds by putting in danger even the three agreements on which the two delegations agreed, there was no other alternative for the Republic of Kosovo than to stretch the legal authority and power throughout the whole territory with the legal tools, fighting so smuggling and organized crime, one of the precondition for European integration of the Republic of Kosovo.
The Republic of Kosovo and all of its institutions are determined to enforce law and order throughout the territory, which is for the good of all citizens of the country regardless and that contributes to peace and stability in the region and beyond.
Dialogue is the only way of normalizing relations between the Republic of Kosovo and the Republic of Serbia as two sovereign countries who on the path of integration into the European Union have a common future.
I would like to praise the work and commitment of the Kosovo Police in their very professional activities in the implementation of constitutionality and legality in the country.
In the last night conversation and today’s meeting with the Prime Minister of Kosovo I expressed him the institutional support for this necessary action in the functioning of the state.