Address by President Martti Ahtisaari at the Kosovo Assembly

Pristina, 15 June 2009

Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, Mr. Prime Minister, distinguished members of the Kosovo Assembly, friends, colleagues, ladies and gentlemen,

I am deeply honored to be here on this momentous occasion, the first anniversary of the Kosovo Constitution. Please accept my warmest congratulations. My involvement with Kosovo began many years ago and it is particularly gratifying to see the journey Kosovo has taken this past year. I am also happy to see so many friends here today who worked closely with me for Kosovo and its future.

On this day, I am reminded of the Preamble in the Kosovo Constitution which so eloquently captures the aspirations of this nation as it stands “determined to build a future for Kosovo as a free, democratic and peace-loving country that will be a homeland to all of its citizens.”

Kosovo’s independence is irreversible and this is evident from the recognitions that continue to arrive from around the world. Acceptance of this reality by all would go a long way toward ensuring stability not only for Kosovo, but for the entire Western Balkans region and indeed for Europe as well.

Today, there is much that Kosovo can be proud of. With the passing of legislation and adoption of a Constitution, addressing concerns of all communities as well as establishing state institutions, remarkable progress has been made. I especially welcome the setting up of the Constitutional Court, the ultimate interpreter and guardian of Kosovo’s constitutionality. It represents the launch of the most important body in the institutional architecture of this country.

I have also been impressed with Kosovo’s activities on the international front in setting up diplomatic representations in key capitals, the successful efforts towards membership in the IMF and the World Bank, and other organizations to follow, as well as the contacts the Kosovo leadership has established with many countries.

To Kosovo’s partners, the European Union and the United States, NATO, the UN and OSCE, as well a number of other international organizations and NGO’s, I offer my deep appreciations as well as encouragement for their efforts and commitment in assisting and advising Kosovo in important areas such as rule of law and reforms in key sectors of society.

When this Assembly declared independence and later adopted the Constitution it also endorsed the Comprehensive Settlement Plan, and welcomed Pieter Feith as the International Civilian Representative. I warmly thank Pieter and his team for their work and express my appreciation to the Kosovo institutions for the excellent cooperation extended to the ICO.

With Yves De Kermabon leading EULEX efforts in critical rule of law areas, I am fully confident that top expertise is in place to assist Kosovo as it builds and strengthens the structures and processes of law and justice.

Ladies and gentlemen,

despite the remarkable progress made thus far Kosovo still faces huge challenges. Institutional structures are in deep need of further reforms, economic and social development must be strengthened, jobs must be created, accountability and transparency in institution-building must be secured. There also remains the task of obtaining full international recognition in the global arena.

I appeal to you, the political leaders of Kosovo, to unite in a joint effort to overcome these daunting challenges. It must be a common cause of all people of Kosovo to build their country into a truly multi-ethnic, democratic state with its European perspective in clear focus.

State and institution-building require the participation of all citizens. Major provisions of my Comprehensive Plan are dedicated to ensuring a legitimate place of the Serb community in the new Kosovo.

Let me, therefore, now turn to my Kosovo Serb friends. It is crucial that you take advantage of the opportunities that will present themselves as this country develops and you must become important stakeholders in the future that your children will inherit from you. What is needed is your positive response to the outreach by the Kosovo leadership toward you and other communities, particularly returnees, and a willingness to cooperate within the framework of the Kosovo institutions. Building these links is necessary at the local, municipal and state level. It is also in the best interest of the citizens of this country who ultimately share a common destiny and future.

Serbia and Kosovo will always be neighbors. Interaction between the two will remain inevitable. Serbia should accept the new realities and extend its cooperation to this young nation. Belgrade and Pristina could together find common ground on their place in the world and determine that they could actually move away from adversarial rhetoric, toward coexistence, reconciliation and friendship.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The European Union must find a common position on Kosovo which would allow it to assist effectively in the stabilization of the country, in its integration into the region and the realization of its European perspective.

All other representatives of the International Community working in Kosovo, I urge to continue with their important task of preserving and building upon the peace in the Western Balkans. This is a transatlantic task requiring the continued collaboration between the European Union and the United States. Following years of strife, the people of Kosovo and the other countries in this region deserve decent lives.

Dear Friends,

I have a special message today for the young people of Kosovo. Yours is the future for which we have collectively worked. It is up to you to ensure that you build upon these efforts and determine to take your nation from strength to strength. There is so much opportunity for you to engage with each other through your daily lives as students, friends, colleagues and citizens—you can already now set the agenda for your participation in a prosperous and multiethnic Kosovo. So, begin now to build a Kosovo that you would be proud to call home and which would be proud of you. Let me in particular stress that women’s empowerment is crucial and their full participation an imperative in the development of a modern European society.

Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen,

My vision of Kosovo is clear. What I want to see in a few years from now, is a democratic, modern, multi-cultural, tolerant and stable nation, at peace with its neighbors, part of an integrated Europe and widely respected in the world. At the same time, I am a realist and I know that there will be many obstacles on the road. It is bound to be a long journey and requires your collective energy and commitment to make this vision a reality.

Working for peace as I have done all my life, I have remained mindful that I am vested with the responsibility to influence the destinies of peoples. This is a responsibility I have never taken lightly. I have fought hard to ensure that dignity, opportunity and a chance at peaceful living have been accorded to those on whose behalf I have intervened.

Today, I have the unique privilege of witnessing a nation that has taken charge of its journey into a future which will be of its own making. Kosovo will forever hold a special place in my heart and I am happy to share this day with you. While other responsibilities may keep me from visiting as often as I might like, please be assured of my continued support and trust in your progress. I know that your dream is bound to be realized. I also know that the vision of Kosovo as a “homeland to all of its citizens” will be a reality. Again, congratulations on your charter document, now one year old. Be proud of its achievements, dedicated to its vision, and mindful of its obligations.

I thank you.