The U.S. DAS Thomas Countryman's visit to Kosovo

February 11, 2011

Joint Press Conference: Caretaker Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi and  The U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, Thomas Countryman

PM THAÇI: I had the pleasure to meet Mr. Countryman, whom I informed of successful completion of the process of general elections, as well as about the certification of elections results and acceptance of elections results by all political spectrum of Kosovo.
This marks a powerful development of democracy in Kosovo on our way of reforms, but also on our Euro-Atlantic journey; in the process of the formation of new institutions that will take upon the responsibility for the development of the country, for economic reforms, for reforms in the judiciary and politics, for the integrating Euro-Atlantic process.

I also informed Mr. Countryman about the engagements we have for the formation of new institutions, for the election of the new President, new Government, but also for the constituting of the Kosovo Parliament. We are on a very god path to forming the institutions quickly – a multiethnic Government with broad inclusion - with credible, able, and responsible people, in order to install and continue with good and the rule-of-law governance that is effective in the fight against corruption, organized crime, and all negative phenomena; with the deepening of necessary democratic reforms for our state, that will work for consolidation and strengthening of the state and at the same time it will work very strongly for social wellbeing of citizens, but also for our Euro-Atlantic integration. I want to believe strongly that with these efforts we are making we will quickly form the institutions, and one of the first decisions that the Government will take immediately after its formation is also the seizing of responsibility in the process of the dialogue between the State of Kosovo and the State of Serbia - with full international support – on practical issues for the interests of our two peoples and countries.

I thank Mr. Countryman and the United States very much for their continuous support in all this process, including the electoral one, for a transparent process, and for these joint engagements, including in the bilateral cooperation between Kosovo and the United States of America, as well as in the process (that will happen) of the dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade.

With full confidence I say that this process will begin favorably and will be concluded successfully with reciprocal recognitions between the states of Kosovo and Serbia. Of course, we can’t perhaps expect miracles to happen right after the dialogue but this dialogue will be focused on practical issues for the benefit of both countries and both our peoples, for the benefit of peace, regional stability, and Euro-Atlantic perspective. Thank you very much.

DAS COUNTRYMAN: Thank you Mr. Prime Minister. As always, it’s an honor for me to meet with you and to hear your thoughts directly. The last time I was in Kosovo, was on the first day of elections on December 12th, and I am very happy to be back again on the eve of the formation of the new government.

United States Government is proud that in these three years of independence, of rapid economic and political development in Kosovo, we are proud that we’ve made a contribution to the very significant work done by Kosovo to build up its democracy, to build up its institutions, to develop an economy, to develop a state that all citizens of Kosovo can be proud of.

The next three or four or more years require even harder work from the government and the citizens of Kosovo and we will be, again, as supportive as we possibly can. The new government, which we all hope, as you say, will be announced shortly, will have a complete, very full agenda to develop the economy, economic growth and job creation; to establish firmly the rule of law, the independence of state institutions including the judiciary and the police; and, as we discussed today, to address together the common foreign policy challenges that Kosovo faces and in which the United States is a full partner.

We look forward to this task. We believe that the people of Kosovo have demanded and expect a clean, capable, committed government that will take even greater steps forward in the next few years than we have seen in these first three years of independence. Thank you again for your time and wisdom today, Mister Prime Minister.

QUESTION: Nebojsa Cirkovic, KIM Radio. A question for Mr. Countryman: What would be the role of America [U.S.] in future negotiations of Belgrade and Pristina? And one more: did you get assurances from Mr. Thaçi that the future Government will be composed of people with “clean hands”?

DAS COUNTRYMAN: On the first question: in the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia and, like the European Union, we say ‘dialogue’ rather than ‘negotiations’ for a reason. These need to be very wide-ranging discussions on a number of practical issues. And they are not in that sense negotiations, perhaps in the traditional sense. So by saying ‘dialogue’, we hope that both governments, as well as the EU, the facilitator of the dialogue, will have a more flexible and creative, and practical approach to settling questions of everyday life that affect all citizens of Kosovo in all parts of Kosovo. The U.S. role in this is a supporting role. The European Union will convene the parties and set the agenda. We will be there to assist not only the Kosovo team, but assist the EU and yes, assist the Serbian team as well, to get to those practical negotiations. And we look forward to playing that supportive role in close coordination with our partners. The Prime Minister did not review with me today the composition of the Cabinet that he’s been working on, and I think that’s appropriate. It is a decision for the parties that participated in this election. I do have every confidence that the Prime Minister and the other parties have heard our opinion and have heard the opinion of the people of Kosovo – clean, capable, committed. And I think - I expect that is the direction the new Cabinet and the new Government will take.  

QUESTION: Nebi Qena, Associated Press: Sir, you’ve been around the region. Can you just give us a feel of what the challenges for the region as a whole are:  such as economic growth, social turmoil? So can you just give us a glimpse as what your thoughts are on that?

DAS COUNTRYMAN:  It’s very difficult to summarize because each country in this region is unique and each is at a different point of political and economic development. So I hate to make generalizations. But I’ll make a couple: First, it is our conviction that the road ahead for all of this region is towards membership in the European Union. That membership in the European Union is a powerful force that helps to drive the engine of economic and political and social reforms in each of these countries. And we have seen such a dramatic example in the case of Croatia. Which is now on the doorstep of EU membership, and is a much better place for its citizens as a result of that process. That’s what we would like to see everywhere, and that’s what the U.S. supports. Second general point is that the hardest part of that assignment, the hardest part of becoming ready for membership in the European Union is to establish the rule of law. To establish independent, clean institutions of justice, of prosecution of police to ensure that governments are not corrupt. These are the hardest tasks that the countries of this region face. I believe that each of them are determined to confront that big challenge but each is perhaps at a different stage in that process. I think those are only two generalizations I can make. Because, otherwise the challenges that Kosovo, that Albania, that Montenegro, that Macedonia face are unique.

QUESTION: Fatos Bytyçi, Reuters: Sir, there are lot of differences between the Kosovo political parties to form the government and new institutions. As you said they are facing a lot of challenges. Do you favor a broad coalition between all political parties? Is it better for next 1-2 years?

DAS COUNTRYMAN: I think you’ve meant this question for the Prime Minister, as he’s the one working on forming the coalition. I did not offer such specific advice to the Prime Minister. I will note, as I think Ambassador Dell has noted that the size of a coalition in a parliamentary system like this is less important than the coherence and effectiveness of the coalition. A government that is united and active and effective in the priorities of the citizens will be successful. Yes, in general, a broad coalition is usually better than a narrow coalition, but the key factor is not the size of the coalition, the total size of the majority; it is its effectiveness, its coherence, and its determination.

QUESTION: I am a Kohavision journalist. A question for the PM: How was the message of (inaudible) accepted by the institutions or the government, I believe this was presented to you during the meeting also? How did you accept it?

PM THAÇI: We have set the standards for the establishment of the new institutions led by skilled and responsible people, by capable people who take on responsibilities that belong to them, and who will perform their duties well; people who will work for the consolidation and strengthening of the country, for its economic development and the creation of new jobs and for deep reforms that should happen in the state of Kosovo – we are determined in this direction. We are determined in this direction. On the other side, I stress that we have secured the sufficient majority to build the new institutions. The quality of institutions or government does not depend on numbers but simply on work effectiveness, because Kosovo has a tradition of big numbers of coalitions in the Parliament, but the governments have not been so effective previously. However, this time we will have a concentrated coalition but effective for the work that it must perform in compliance with the Constitution, laws, program, and the vision for the strengthening of our country and the social wellbeing of the citizens, as well as for Kosovo’s way of integration into the structures of NATO and the European Union.

QUESTION: Arben Ahmeti from daily newspaper Koha Ditore. Sir, soon we will have (inaudible). Would you give us a general evaluation of U.S. administration. Has Kosovo proved that it is capable to function as a state? And one question for Mr. Prime Minister. Mr. Prime Minister, are personalities who are being investigated by EULEX going to be part of the Government Cabinet?

DAS COUNTRYMAN: The very short answer is yes, the last three years have demonstrated to me, to Ambassador Dell, to the U.S. Government, that Kosovo is a functioning democracy. It is, like all of its neighbors, an imperfect democracy that has a lot of work to do, but what I am absolutely certain of is that the political system here has shown both maturity in just three years and capability for further growth which means that it has the capability to make the kind of hard decisions that will bring it into the Euro-Atlantic institutions. There will be difficulties, there will be conflicts, political conflicts, there will be political crises, but as a political system, yes, I believe Kosovo has that capability to determine its future and to make the necessary difficult choices.

PM THAÇI: In the future institutions of Republic of Kosovo there will be people that as primary goal have the interest of Kosovo first of all, the interests of country’s citizens, above any party interest, group interest or individual interest. So, they will be people that are capable, responsible, credible, who can fulfill our vision for Euro-Atlantic and developmental Kosovo.

QUESTION: [by Shpend Çoçaj, Daily Express] Sir, what’s your position on Marty’s report? Mr. Marty has mentioned you personally many times. Mr. Prime Minister, is Mr. Pacolli acceptable for you as a President? For the USG, is Mr. Pacolli the right person for President of Kosovo?

DAS COUNTRYMAN: I think what Mr. Marty has mentioned about me are the central elements of our view of his report and I am happy to state those once again. First we take Mr. Marty’s report seriously. We have not concluded that his conclusions are true or false. We…that is not for us to determine. But we do take the report itself seriously. Secondly, we believe that some of the allegations in the report must be further investigated, and that this investigation must be carried out by EULEX which is the only organization that has the jurisdiction to do this. And third, we are considering right now in Washington how the United States can best support an investigation that arrives at the truth. Getting to the truth is essential for the people of Kosovo and essential for the process of promoting Kosovo’s relations with its neighbors and promoting interethnic reconciliation. So these are the three points.  We take it seriously, EULEX must investigate and we are figuring out how we can best support that investigation.

QUESTION: On Mr. Pacolli, please.

DAS COUNTRYMAN:  I don’t have an opinion, thank you. 

PM THAÇI:  You know that, from the beginning, myself and the Kosovo Government have reviewed Dick Marty’s report with a high interest. We gave full support, and we reiterate today our full support for EULEX in the procedural process - if there is evidence for the investigation. EULEX will have the full support and a close cooperation from our side in the transparent process.  It is an authority of the rule of law with a full international support. We have cooperated in the past, we cooperate with it today, and will cooperate in the future.   It is in the interest of Kosovo that this issue be clarified as soon as possible and completely, and in no circumstance should the State of Kosovo, or the citizens of Kosovo, or anyone, have this burden on their shoulders, a burden – I could say - which was brought up by this report.  Therefore we took this with deep interest and full support, and we will have close cooperation with EULEX to close it as soon as possible.  Of course, these things should be depoliticized and depersonalized, and all of us should trust justice and support it.   Regarding the second question, I reiterated that the establishment of new institutions should be led by people who – above party and individual interests – see the interest of the state of Kosovo, the interest of establishing the country’s institutions, who perform duties with high state responsibility.  Therefore, this will be part of the agreement between parties that will be part of the coalition.  It is already known who will be part of this coalition: PDK, AKR, “Ibrahim Rugova” list, and all Serb and non-Serb communities, with a majority that is sufficient yet very consolidated

QUESTION: Besim Abazi, Voice of America. Sir, is Kosovo ready to [inaudible] with Serbia   by having on her shoulders this [inaudible].    Burdened with Marty report, can Kosovo go to talks with Serbia or should it wait for completion of investigations in order to have a position?

DAS COUNTRYMAN:  Several implications of your question. The first is what is a good position for Kosovo and for Serbia? It’s not a football match, it’s a dialogue. It is not a process that results in one side winning and one side losing. It is a process where both, under the guidance of the European Union, and with support from the United States and others, seek to get past some of the political difficulties that have prevented them from making practical decisions that help the people of Kosovo to live normal lives. Not a football match. And the reason to begin now is because we can begin now to make a difference in peoples’ lives by solving those practical issues.  I believe that both governments have the political determination to be creative and forward-looking in addressing these issues in the dialogue. Second point is I don’t believe that the Marty report changes any of those facts.  The Marty report must be dealt with on its own merits as a legal issue, not a political issue, as the Prime Minister said. And I am satisfied that the governments here and in Belgrade will approach it as a legal matter and not a political matter and not an issue that needs to be inserted into the discussion of other issues. The third point about the dialogue which is perhaps the most important - the key to Kosovo’s future is not the dialogue with Serbia.

The dialogue will move more slowly than any of us want. I’ve never seen a diplomatic discussion move more rapidly than expected. They always move more slowly than you expect. And it will take a lot of patience from the people of Kosovo to see those results, to see the full potential of that discussion. What I do know that is more important than the dialogue, is the reform task that the government of Kosovo has ahead of it. This will determine the success of Kosovo as a state, as a democratic state, as a republic that is recognized internationally, that is a member of the U.N. and of the European Union and of NATO. This will be determined more by the actions of the government in Pristina, than by the results of the dialogue. I am not saying that the dialogue is unimportant but I think that the people who care about the future of Kosovo -  whether it’s the citizens, or the media, or the government, or the friends of Kosovo from outside - the primary place to focus energy  is on the reform effort and tasks that the government has here. If Kosovo fails, the dialogue fails, but the opposite is not true.
 
(end transcript)