Minister Çitaku at the opening of the Prishtina Summer University 2011
Prishtina, 4 July 2011 – Today the Minister of European Integration Vlora Çitaku, accompanied by the provost of the University of Prishtina Prof. Mujë Rugova and the head of the Operations Section of the European Commission Liaison Office Kjartan Bjornsson, participated in the opening of the summer school of the University of Prishtina.
On this occasion, Çitaku talked to the scholarship beneficiaries about the importance of the European integration process for the Republic of Kosovo and revealed the achievements of our government emphasizing the visa liberalization process.
Also, Çitaku emphasized the importance of the “Youth Cell Scheme” encouraging the beneficiaries that, in future, they will be an important part of the construction of the European Kosovo.
Remarks by Vlora Citaku, Minister for EU Integrations
Distinguished guests and dear friends,
As you have already heard and seen in all of the country’s media this weekend, Government of Kosovo and Government of Serbia have agreed on few technical issues that were part of the ongoing dialogue, initiated last year by General Assembly of United Nations.
I was following carefully the media as well as people’s reactions to the agreements and I want to use the opportunity to start my remarks by addressing some of these reactions. They are very insightful as to how is the European Union perceived in Kosovo and how will the Kosovo’s path toward EU look like not only in forthcoming weeks but also in the years ahead of us.
Some people have said that Serbia is gaining everything, namely a candidate status for EU membership, while Kosovo is not even recognized as a contracting party by European Union, as is as far from EU candidacy as one can be in Balkans, hence winning nothing out of the dialogue. According to this discourse Kosovo has done a mistake entering the dialogue without firm guarantees that it shall be recognized as a state by EU and Serbia. Some people are yet harsher and accuse the EU for being effectively pro-Serb, while Kosovo should look towards United States in search of its’ political future.
I for one, think we should be open and forthright about this ongoing debate. Though I do not agree with these points made, these reactions that some people have towards the EU-mediated dialogue are not only a reflection of people’s feelings but also the misconceptions that they have about EU.
Well, in short EU is not only a facilitator of the dialogue but is founded based on the premises of the dialogue between former enemies. Not only this present round of technical dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, but also about dialogue in general.
It was a platform for dialogue between Germany and France, which fought 3 brutal wars with each other that caused loss of millions of lives in less than 100 years. It’s about dialogue between big countries and small countries on ensuring that voice of the weak ones is not silenced by the strength of the big ones. It’s about dialogue that seeks respect of diversity while ensuring respect of the European values such as human rights, freedom and equality.
Sometimes the dialogue is difficult, like the long discussions we have witnessed on the issue of financial help to Greece, or the years it took for the Lisbon treaty finally to be ratified, after years and years of endless dialogue on all issues that pretty much cover the interests of all the members.
In that respect, EU doesn’t draw strength from the might of its armies, or the monopoly on commodities that entire planet needs – no, EU is the first political entity in history of mankind that is fundamentally dedicated to promote dialogue and not conflict as means of solving problems.
Herein I also see the national interest of Kosovo vis-à-vis EU: after decades and even centuries of being oppressed and brutalized by regimes and loss of lives in never-ending cycles of violence that have caused us great pain and suffering, Kosovo is approaching a period in which it can be certain that no neighbor can ever again use violence or oppression against Kosovans. This was only ensured in the recent years when all of the Balkan countries pledged to do outmost to enter the European Union. For generations of our parents and grandparents, the project of joining EU will mean that our safety is forever ensured in a framework of European Union.
Dear friends and young scholars,
I have decided to open my remarks with the theme of dialogue, since in my experience working over 4 months already as European Integrations’ Minister, I have seen that sometimes we don’t have patience for dialogue. We want things now and immediately. Well, our path to EU, short-term gains as well long term perspectives will all be dependent on how good we are in the dialogue, not only with EU but also among ourselves.
On the other hand, Kosovo is a test for internal European dialogue as well. EU has worked hard to establish institutions and policies that are meant to be unified and coherent, in order to promote the very same values abroad for which Europe has become known. If EU can’t agree on Kosovo, which sits at the heart of old continent, how can the world expect EU to be taken seriously in issues far more complex in distant regions of the world? EU has implemented the biggest justice operation ever in the world, when it founded EULEX in Kosovo and it’s fair to say that success in stabilizing and absorbing Balkan region by ensuring equal treatment for all potential candidates will define the success of the European Union’s ability to develop foreign policy. For this reason, Government of Kosovo will help the process for it needs to see that EU foreign policy reaches consensus and agreement on Kosovo.
Kosovo is in a dialogue with the European Union on several issues:
On visa liberalization we have been talking for some years now and I remain strongly convinced that this is the year when we will also receive the official roadmap for Visa Liberalization for the Kosovan citizens. As we now know from the census, Kosovans have a large diaspora, perhaps as much as one third of all our population lives abroad, mostly in the countries of European Union. Diaspora is strongly connected to Kosovo, keeping bonds with Kosovo across family, commercial or social networks hence we need to make sure that Kosovans receive possibilities to travel and visit family, friends and their loved ones.
We have identified four critical areas in which we must deliver credible reforms for the roadmap to be received. Kosovo is aware that conditions imposed on us are far more stringent in this stage than what the rest of Balkan countries faced at the very beginning of negotiations, but this cannot be an argument for not pressing ahead with reforms.
Firstly, Kosovo must more acutely address readmission and reintegration of readmitted persons. Secondly, Kosovo must fortify civil registries and document security; Thirdly, Kosovo must do more in providing integrated border management, and last but definitely not least, Kosovo must continue and expand the fight against corruption and organized crime here at home. I am pleased to say that we have begun the task of addressing all of these complex and interconnected challenges with renewed vigor after the establishment of the government.
The first of these requirements is to more adeptly handle the readmission of displaced individuals and then address the their reintegration. A tremendous amount of governmental and legislative infrastructure has been created to address the issue that is meant to prove the ability of the government to take care of our own citizens who are returned from shorter or lengthier stays in EU. We cannot continue as in old days, leaving people in the street after they are refused asylum in EU: Readmission reforms are meant to show that our heart and mind is with those who have travailed a lot and ended up back in their own country, often confused and with no means of supporting themselves.
We have adopted law on readmission and the corresponding Reintegration Strategy last year. Readmission agreements have been signed with many European governments and will be signed with even more countries this year. We have established registration and reception offices at the Airport and have made available grants for municipalities to help reintegrate those who return to Kosovo.
I have not spent much time in Brussels since I have been focused on making sure that ALL municipalities in Kosovo participate in delivering services to all of those who return, Albanians, Serbs or Roma. We will continue to work with municipalities throughout the summer so they can prove their commitment to the EU monitors who will be evaluating their capacities.
The second requirement is the improvement of civil registries and document security. Lion’s share of the work here has already been implemented. Civil registries have almost completely been digitized and Kosovans will soon also carry biometric passports that are safer than old ones. To ensure credibility of the process, the civil registration offices and civil status offices are also undergoing continuous and random evaluation by local authorities, EULEX and the European Commission.
The third requirement set out by the European Commission is in the field of Integrated Border Management. Here, we have advanced the legislation and adopted procedures for issuance of Kosovan visas to foreigners. We have revised the organizational structure of Kosovo customs and improved the technical infrastructure. The process of transferring borderline surveillance and control from the KFOR to KP is underway, and soon we hope for Kosovo police to be present in all the borders. Taking into consideration complexities of northern border, we have also adopted Customs Service Action Plan for Northern Kosovo. Biometric systems are being installed at all border-crossing points and testing of these systems is underway.
The fourth and the least technical requirement asked by the European Commission is that we expand and improve our efforts to fight corruption and organized crime. This is paramount for the success of all our efforts in Kosovo. We must still establish a witness protection program and create laws to help ensure its success. Further capacity building is required to support international judicial cooperation in criminal and civil matters as many requests for legal assistance have been received so far. Some laws have been approved but we need even more work to be done in the Parliament of Kosovo. Additionally, enhanced capacity building must be undertaken to ensure a successful transfer from EULEX to local authorities of the power to combat financial crime.
In all areas there are still steps to be taken and most importantly, EU monitors will have to be impressed with what they see on the ground. Policies and laws are not sufficient unless they are implemented fully.
Entire body of work is done in a permanent dialogue with the EU.
Distinguished Guests, Friends and young scholars,
I have just described you in detail the work done in visa liberalization, but this is but one of the aspects of EU integration of immediate interest for Kosovans. Kosovo is yet to start implementing reforms needed to move to other steps, from the Stabilization and Accession Treaty to adoption of standards not only in ways how we do business and politics, but to also ensure that our rivers are clean and our water drinkable. The tasks are enormous and the most important aspect of our efforts is that for each additional stage we pass, we will need support of not some but ALL of EU countries. We will need for Cyprus - and Romania - and Slovakia - and Spain and Greece to approve of our efforts and to ratify all the major steps in our EU integrations.
Hence I started with the dialogue: for how can we convince others of our good will, if we would boycott talks with neighbors? We must learn and we must teach the other around us of the difficult path that we have in front success of which will be assured only after we are fully and honestly engaged in dialogue not only with all our neighbors regardless of the past conflicts, but also countries that are far and less informed about who we are and what we want.
The Young Cell Scheme is integral to this entire process. Our hopes are that the young people of Kosovo who have traveled and studied abroad, come back not only with knowledge on macroeconomics or EU law, but also with the attitude and cultural references that will help them, and their country, engage in constructive dialogue with their EU peers and other stakeholders.
The Scheme has been success and I certainly hope that we find way to continue with the program. The very backbone of my ministry are the young scholars who have been part of this scheme, and in many other institutions Young Cells have changed qualitatively the output from the ministries and have helped the EU integration processes. The program shows how the brain drain can become brain gain if the government, donors and students all have their interests respected and cherished. Out of 130 students who have finished the program so far, more than 100 of them are now employed in medium to senior level job placements. It is a truly successful program of capacity building that looks beyond trainings and workshops to give young people working and living experience in the EU.
Kosovo will in many years ahead, need your input and your work, but first and foremost, it will need your negotiating skills to make sure that once and for all, through dialogue we achieve our rightful place in the community of European nations.
Information:
Academic presentations and trainings will be offered in the 5 day program held from 4 to 8 July, as well as opportunities for discussions and debates related to Kosovo and its current situation on the EU integration process. The scholarship holders who now work in the line ministries and known international speakers from European universities as well as international professionals will be involved in different topics of the program, including European law, economics, free trade and energy.
In the closing session, which will be held on Friday, 8 July, a debate will take place on the topic “EU and the adherence of Kosovo: ten years on this road, advantages, drawbacks and obstacles”, where high officials of the government and EC will be present as well as academics and professionals from Kosovo and abroad.
