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Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to start with the message which was delivered at the EU Summit held in Thessaloniki in 2003 and in which it was stated that the process of European Integration shall not be completed until all Western Balkan countries receive their full membership in the European Union. The idea of one united, democratic Europe is a historical undertaking. Europe of shared values, Europe with no boundaries, Europe of peace and stability - that is our aim, and never before in our history have we been closer to fulfilling this aim. Our priorities, our problems and our achievements are not the same but our aspirations are. Our commitment to the European future is the same. The most important is that Europe wins a victory in our hearts/inside of us - not only by calling upon our old, long and victorious European tradition, but more with proofs of modern European validation of achievements which testify that constructive communication, material stability, social security and solidarity have at last replaced the logic of wars, forced ethnic migrations, tragedies and crimes. At the same time the idea of united Europe demands the maximal recognition of realities. In Serbia, we are very much aware of the process of coming to terms with our realities, but we are also aware of the fact that at this moment 68% of the population in Serbia unequivocally supports the idea of the membership in the European Union. In our country we are very seriously taking up and dealing with the challenges that are coming our way. The issue of future of Kosovo we are solving through direct negotiations with the representatives of Kosovo Albanians with the participation of international representatives. In the course of these negotiations we are entirely observing the European values which are of crucial importance for the long-lasting stability of the region - multiethnicity, protection of minority rights, the right of return for the displaced people, decentralisation and the perspective for all the citizens living in Kosovo. The success of the negotiation process predominantly depends on the recognition and acknowledgment of the realities, overcoming of partiality and the success gained while making efforts to try to find the compromised solution. This is the reason why the continuation of talks between Belgrade and Pristina is an unavoidable condition for the creation of one stable, sustainable and long-lasting solution for the future status of Kosovo, without prejudging any kind of solution which does not result from the direct negotiations. However If you bear in mind the following statements of the Speaker of the Kosovo Assembly saying that "Kosovo Albanians will use violence unless the International Community imposes the solution referring to the status of Kosovo to Serbia", and the statement of the Prime Minister of Kosovo Agim Cheku who said that "Serbia does not have courage to attack Kosovo ever again," then one could easily argue and ask whether these statements are encouraging the negotiations and contributing to the settlement of the issue at all. Is it possible that while the negotiations are in progress anyone could impose any kind of solution. I am not to blame for the politics of Slobodan Milošević, no part of my personality is responsible for that, and let me remind you that on 5th October 2000, his regime was toppled, the regime that had brought nothing but suffering to every citizen of the Republic of Serbia, regardless of its national or religious determination, and that on that day, the democratic option won in Serbia and has been in power for the last six years. The winning democracy is ruling Serbia and it guarantees to every citizen equal rights and freedoms, guarantees the respect of differences, and it could guarantee inviolability of the broadest possible autonomy in for Kosovo and all the rights to its citizens. But there is only one thing it can not guarantee, and that is its own survival if the constitutional independence of Kosovo occurs. That is exactly the stream of events which would bring about the return of the dark forces from the past carried on the wave of nationalism for which the countries of our region have paid and are still paying such a high price. A democratic Kosovo with the highest degree of autonomy within the democratic Serbia represents the key which would open wide the doors of the European Union and enable the lasting peace in the area of Western Balkans. Ladies and gentlemen, Europe which does not erase countries but quite contrary, connects countries and brings them closer to one another, Europe which does not ban freedoms but widely promotes them and creates opportunities and thus enabling every country and all the people living in them to establish, develop and express their long-lasting interests, Europe which transforms old enemies from the past into present-day and future friends, Europe which can turn bad memories from the past referring to its closest neighbours into their solidarity, fellowship and support - this is the idea of one united Europe which is so important and significant for the achievements of all of us who were born in Europe, in the Western Balkans and who are ready to give in order to provide the European future for its people, much more than what the dark side of our Balkan past has inflicted on us and taken from us. Bearing all this in mind, I shall end my speech today with the very words I said in the beginning, the message delivered at the EU Summit held in Thessaloniki - the process of European Integration shall not be completed until all Western Balkan countries receive their full membership in the European Union. |