Bot: The Future Of Kosovo Is In Europe
‘The future of Kosovo is in Europe” stated the Dutch Foreign Minister and Chairman in Office of the EU Bernard Bot; during a visit he is paying to Kosovo. Bot stressed that Kosovo remains the main priority of the EU.
Mr. Bot said, “The future of Kosovo is in Europe, and we are happy to contribute as much as we can. We consider that decentralization is of great importance. We believe that both communities should learn to live side by side. We were shocked by the March events, but we are encouraged by reconstruction.” President Rugova said that the Kosovo institutions are committed for creation of a democratic Kosovo. “We are determined to get involved in the EU, NATO, certainly an independent, democratic and peaceful Kosovo which would calm down this part of Europe and the world. Meanwhile we will work in creating of a democratic society, integration of minorities in the Kosovo state and society. Meanwhile, PM Rexhepi had a business lunch with the Dutch Foreign Minister Bernard Bot and with the Dutch delegation. At a press conference, Bot expressed support of the EU to Kosovo,however he said that the first support should come by the people of Kosovo itself. “We discussed a number of problems. It is good to invest in Kosovo, but we expect to see the people of Kosovo to be able to stand on their feet, and to develop their own economy. We also expect from the political aspect to be conclusions and solutions,” Mr. Bot said. Whereas PM Rexhepi requested from Minister Bot that the Netherlands makes positive pressure to the EU to get involved in development of economy in Kosovo. “We are committed to continue and make progress with regard to standards, reconstruction, internal dialogue, as standards are a priority to the EU also. We will do our best to make a real progress, and we really expect that until the middle of 2005 discussion on definition of Kosovo’s status starts,” PM Rexhepi said. In the afternoon, Minister Bot also met with the Deputy SRSG Charles Brayshaw. Meanwhile he said that the EU has been discussing possibilities to continue assisting Kosovo. “It’s very important that parallel structures are dissolved. Those structures are not good for development of this Region. I told the Serbs that the EU is doing the best to give them rightful place in Kosovo,” Mr. Bot said. Following this meeting, Mr. Brayshaw said, “I am happy that The Netherlands is supporting us a lot in fulfillment of standards and in development of Kosovo. Coexistence among all the Kosovo communities must be built here, and creation of a multiethnic Region.” |
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