Hyseni: Independence is irreversible

Kosovo Foreign Minister Skender Hyseni said in New York that Kosovo independence is irreversible. He said that it will remain that way for the sake of regional security. Hyseni: Independence is irreversible Speaking at the UN Security Council meeting dedicated to Kosovo, Hyseni said that Pristina has been recognized by 65 countries, and that diplomatic relations have been established with 25 of them. “Kosovo is ready to improve relations with the Republic of Serbia. Dialogue between our countries can be held regarding many questions of joint interest and only based on equality, between two independent and sovereign countries,” Hyseni said, adding that Pristina rejects any and all calls for renewing negotiations regarding Kosovo’s status. He said that the calls for new negotiations are coming from people who are not aware of the situation and want to destabilize the region, adding that new talks could cause new conflicts in the region. Serbian President Boris Tadic characterized this statement by Hyseni as a direct threat. Hyseni said that 2009 was a very successful year for Kosovo in many fields. “We completed the membership process in the IMF and World Bank. Independence recognition continued throughout the year. The Kosovo government was very successful in solving many problems in the fields of economy, justice, and security on the entire territory of Kosovo,” Hyseni said. He said that Kosovo has continued building its institutions “based on the new democratic constitution and the plans of the international envoy, Finnish president Martti Ahtisaari.” Speaking of the process being led before the International Court of Justice regarding the legality of Kosovo's unilaterally proclaimed independence, Hyseni said that Kosovo has complete confidence in the institution. He said that the general and security situation in Kosovo is calm and sustainable, and that the situation in the north remains the only question that it causing disturbances. Hyseni said that the well-being and return of minority groups and displaced persons to Kosovo has been the priority of the Kosovo institutions and that visible progress was made in that sector in 2009 as well. Skender Hyseni (FoNet archive)

Hyseni: Independence is irreversible

Speaking at the UN Security Council meeting dedicated to Kosovo, Hyseni said that Priština has been recognized by 65 countries, and that diplomatic relations have been established with 25 of them.

“Kosovo is ready to improve relations with the Republic of Serbia. Dialogue between our countries can be held regarding many questions of joint interest and only based on equality, between two independent and sovereign countries,” Hyseni said, adding that Priština rejects any and all calls for renewing negotiations regarding Kosovo’s status.

He said that the calls for new negotiations are coming from people who are not aware of the situation and want to destabilize the region, adding that new talks could cause new conflicts in the region.

Serbian President Boris Tadić characterized this statement by Hyseni as a direct threat.

Hyseni said that 2009 was a very successful year for Kosovo in many fields.

“We completed the membership process in the IMF and World Bank. Independence recognition continued throughout the year. The Kosovo government was very successful in solving many problems in the fields of economy, justice, and security on the entire territory of Kosovo,” Hyseni said.

He said that Kosovo has continued building its institutions “based on the new democratic constitution and the plans of the international envoy, Finnish president Martti Ahtisaari.”

Speaking of the process being led before the International Court of Justice regarding the legality of Kosovo's unilaterally proclaimed independence, Hyseni said that Kosovo has complete confidence in the institution.

He said that the general and security situation in Kosovo is calm and sustainable, and that the situation in the north remains the only question that it causing disturbances.

Hyseni said that the well-being and return of minority groups and displaced persons to Kosovo has been the priority of the Kosovo institutions and that visible progress was made in that sector in 2009 as well.