President of the Republic of Kosovo, Mrs. Atifete Jahjaga, was received today in London by the United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary, Mr. William Hague. President Jahjaga is currently attending the 9th Islamic World Economic Forum, being held in London, which will be discussing the issues of cooperation in the field of economy and technology, as well as the advancement of the role of women in society. The Forum is being attended by a large number of senior personalities from the Islamic world, inclusive of the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Prime Minister of Pakistan, The King of Jordan and the Sultan of Brunei.
President Jahjaga and Secretary Hague discussed the latest developments on Kosovo, the process of normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia, after the achievement reached in April, Kosovo’s European path as well as the issue of prevention of the sexual violence during the conflict periods.
Madam President thanked Secretary Hague for the support that United Kingdom has provided for Kosovo on the SAA issue, negotiations upon which have just begun, and expressed the dedication of the institutions and the society of Kosovo to successfuly conclude the negotiations by the spring of next year.
President Jahjaga emphasized that Kosovo needs deep reforms for the sustainability of the state and the society and said that its European path must not be shortened, until all the obligations have been met.
Speaking in relation to the municipal elections in Kosovo, being held on November 3rd, President Jahjaga said that they are a test in democracy and political maturity of Kosovo, hence the augmented engagements of everyone towards holding of fair, proper and all inclusive elections, which will carry the legitimacy of the electoral process.
President Jahjaga mentioned a number of minor incidents in the northern part of the territory of the Republic of Kosovo, during the electoral campaign, but said that she is confident that members of the Serbian community will participate in large numbers, in order to elect their legitimate and legal representatives which will work together with the authorities of Kosovo towards integration of this part of the country into the institutional and social life of Kosovo.
President of the Republic of Kosovo stated that the solution of the problem in the north was a necessity and said that Government of the Republic of Kosovo has addressed the dialogue process with Republic of Serbia in a constructive manner in order to create acclimate of confidence with Serbian citizens in the northern part of Kosovo, towards their integration.
Madam President also added that the agreement on the normalisation of relations between Republic of Kosovo and Republic of Serbia must be implemented in practice and emphasized that she expects Serbia to fulfil its obligations in lieu of the agreement, in relation to the extension of the rule of law and order as well as the authority of the institutions of Kosovo in the whole territory of Kosovo.
President Jahjaga also emphasized that for this process to be successful, the backing of the United Kingdom is necessary as the implementation of the agreement must be closely monitored, step by step, until it’s full implementation, which will bring with itself full normalisation of the relations between the two independent states and will stabilize the whole region of the South-Eastern Europe.
Both countries, said President Jahjaga, must build good neighbourly relations and solve the outstanding issues before they become EU members.
Speaking in relation to the prevention of sexual violence during conflict periods, an initiative of United Kingdom towards a special UN resolution, Madam President stated that she strongly supports and backs the initiative, as sexual violence during conflict is a grave crime against humanity, against women in particular. President Jahjaga emphasized that Kosovo is one of the examples of perpetration of sexual violence, during the war of 1999, saying that this issue has not as yet fully resolved, as well as the sexual violence victims’ access to justice and full integration in the society.
United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary, Mr. William Hague, praised as an important achievement the agreement on the normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia. He said that normalisation of relations must be achieved through talks and that the European path of both countries is closely linked to the full implementation of the agreement reached in Brussels.
Secretary Hague classified the local elections in Kosovo as important ones and expressed his hope for participation of citizens, in particular of the Serbian community, in elections for the election of their legal and legitimate representatives through their vote. Secretary Hague informed President Jahjaga with his initiative towards the organisation of a large international conference in London, during the middle of 2014, on prevention of sexual violence during conflicts and invited Madam President to attend the conference.