Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2006-09-06-Speech-3-025"

Predicate	Value (sorted: default)
rdf:type	lpv_eu:Speech2
dcterms:Date	"2006-09-06"^^xsd:date2
dcterms:Is Part Of	lp_eu:EU preparation for its future role in Kosovo (debate)2
dcterms:Language	"sl"^^xsd:language2
lpv:document identification number	"en.20060906.4.3-025"2
lpv:hasSubsequent	lp_eu:2006-09-06-Speech-3-0262
lpv:speaker	lp:Jelko Kacin2
lpv:spokenAs	substitute; Delegation to the EU-Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Joint Parliamentary Committee (2004-09-15--2009-07-13)3 substitute; TRAN (2004-07-22--2007-01-14)3 unknown; Liberalna Demokracija Slovenije (2004-07-20--2009-07-13)3 substitute; Delegation for relations with the Korean Peninsula (2004-09-15--2007-03-13)3 substitute; Delegation for relations with Iran (2004-09-15--2007-03-13)3 member_of_the_bureau; ALDE (2004-07-20--2009-07-13)3 member; AFET (2004-07-21--2007-01-14)3 vice-chair; Delegation to the EU-Moldova Parliamentary Cooperation Committee (2004-09-21--2009-07-13)3 substitute; Delegation for relations with the countries of south-east Europe (2004-09-15--2007-03-13)3
lpv:translated text	"The European Parliament has played a leading role in sending signals as to the future status of Kosovo. The appointment of the Special Envoy for Kosovo is the signal Belgrade and the international public need to help them recognise the only possible future for Kosovo. I am delighted to see that Mr Poettering is also with us today, as a difficult task will face us during his presidency of the European Parliament. For this reason, it seems to me that our discussion should focus on what our Parliament can do to facilitate the future path of Kosovo. Our first task should be to ensure clearer communication with the Serbian Parliament and to help Serbian politicians understand that Kosovo has already been independent for a considerable period of time. Secondly, we must have direct cooperation with the body which will build democracy in Kosovo, the Kosovo Assembly. The Serbian minority has a weak presence in the Assembly and is still manipulated to a great degree by politicians in Belgrade. In addition, there are divisions in the Roma minority – it is divided into Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians and they have dissonant voices. Here in Parliament, we can make a great contribution in this respect, and the Council can make an even greater contribution. I should like to remind you that at present many Member States of the European Union do not recognise UNMIK passports. The citizens of Kosovo arrive in the European Union holding UNMIK passports and we turn them away because we do not respect their documents. Commissioner Frattini and the Council should do more to minimise the number of such incidents in the future. The third difficulty we are facing is the disrespect shown to the different cultures in Kosovo and in this context the Serbian Orthodox Church is playing a very negative role. As long as the Serbian Orthodox Church refuses to look to the future, we will have great difficulty convincing the Serbian community in Kosovo to integrate itself into the democratic institutions of Kosovo. The key question, however, is that of status. We have offered the Western Balkans a European future. But we are well aware that only states can accede to the European Union. A Kosovo that is not a state cannot take part in that process. While we fail to resolve the status of Kosovo and ensure that it becomes a state in its own right, we will be lying to ourselves and to the public as a whole. This is why, ladies and gentlemen, I should like to conclude my speech by calling on us all, as Members of the European Parliament, to make our voices heard and ensure that the question of status is resolved now and not delayed until next year."@en1

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