BELGRADE - Mr. Chairman, I am very happy to be here in Belgrade and would like to congratulate you on your excellent organization and hospitality.
We have recently marked the third anniversary of the arrival of UNMIK and KFOR in Kosovo. We commemorated this milestone with the swearing-in of the democratically elected, now fully constituted, multiethnic Government.
The goal of UNMIK and this Government is to help Kosovo become part of an integrated Europe. This is a goal we all share. Like every delegation present today, we recognize that achieving this objective requires meeting certain criteria.
When I last addressed the Security Council, I outlined a series of benchmarks, or standards, to measure progress toward meeting these requirements. These benchmarks were strongly endorsed by the Security Council, the wider international community, and Kosovo’s Provisional Institutions.
These standards represent the cornerstones of future progress and include:
- Creating functioning democratic institutions
- Institutionalizing the rule of law
- Ensuring freedom of movement for everyone, everywhere
- Facilitating the return and integration of displaced persons
- Regenerating Kosovo’s economy
- Protecting property rights
These benchmarks are the prerequisites that must be met before discussions on final status can take place, and they are the vehicle that will carry Kosovo toward Europe. That is why I say: Standards before Status. Achieving these standards is also an end in itself, actively contributing to regional stability.
Today, UNMIK represents Kosovo. However, we hope that representatives of the Provisional Government will be included in my delegation at future meetings. Many of the issues discussed at this summit involve transferred responsibilities that fall within the competence of the Provisional Institutions. Local leadership must become involved in regional dialogue.
There is significant potential for dialogue, cooperation and progress in the economy, particularly in the energy and telecommunications sectors, as well as in combating organized crime.
Energy Cooperation
Let us consider energy as an example. The energy markets of each country, when viewed individually, are not large enough to make major infrastructure investments sufficiently profitable.
We should learn from the European model. The European Coal and Steel Community succeeded because it developed an institutional framework for cooperation in an area where all participating states shared a common interest.
Energy policy is fundamental to prosperity throughout South Eastern Europe. The lack of regional cooperation in the trade and regulation of energy results in both high costs and risks to stability. The destabilizing effects of energy shortages have been evident in Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Albania and elsewhere.
An integrated electricity market would be a grand project worthy of the European aspirations of all the countries represented here. It could contribute to regional security while creating opportunities for broad-based economic growth.
Many political obstacles remain to be resolved before such a market becomes a reality. However, the benefits far outweigh the challenges. A regional energy vision is therefore worthy of this forum’s attention, and I commend it to you.
Organized Crime and Corruption
Energy and telecommunications notwithstanding, it is in the area of organized crime and corruption that I would like to focus my remarks today.
I have declared a policy of Zero Tolerance for Crime. UNMIK Police demonstrated yesterday in Peć/Peja, through a number of arrests, that we mean it. More action will follow.
Much of this issue is already addressed through initiatives such as the Stability Pact, but the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) can make a unique contribution because its initiatives originate from within the region itself.
Crime exported from our region is a matter of concern for European leaders. Corruption and organized crime must be addressed robustly if we are to be taken seriously by Europe.
Several mechanisms already exist, including INTERPOL, bilateral agreements and informal cooperation arrangements. UNMIK has recently signed police cooperation agreements with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Serbian Government. We are also working on similar agreements with Montenegro, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Albania.
These efforts are positive, but they are not enough. We need a broad and cooperative approach to combat terrorism, money laundering, organized crime and trafficking.
As we often say, these activities know no borders and must therefore be addressed regionally. Organized criminals practice more international cooperation than we do. Let us learn from that reality. Let us also learn from Europe.
Europe has established agreements on police and judicial cooperation, supported by regional cooperation bodies. The SEECP should strive to do the same.
Europe has Europol and Eurojust. Why should we not have Balkanpol (or SEEPol) and Balkanjust (or SEEJust)?
Balkanpol (SEEPol) could provide:
- Pan-regional intelligence to assess trends and improve understanding of organized criminal networks
- Information-sharing among police and customs authorities
- Coordination of operations, including support for joint investigative teams drawn from across the region
It would also strengthen police cooperation by enabling:
- Prosecution of criminals at home for crimes committed abroad
- Imprisonment of individuals at home following lawful convictions abroad
- Collection of evidence and questioning of witnesses located in other states
- More effective international arrest warrants and extradition procedures
Furthermore, regional cooperation should seek to:
- Align criminal laws and practices, particularly in relation to financial crime and trafficking
- Identify, freeze and confiscate proceeds of crime located in other states
Similarly, Balkanjust (SEEJust) could oversee and facilitate judicial cooperation and support coordination among prosecutors handling organized crime cases.
However, structures alone are not enough. We must empower public opinion and civil society. We need greater public participation.
The average citizen must embrace the values to which we all aspire: public accountability, public ethics and transparent government. This brings me back to the benchmarks.
The benchmarks are not only for government institutions; they are also for the people. Citizens must take ownership of the principles behind them. As these standards are achieved, institutions will function effectively, the rule of law will be upheld, people will move freely and return to their homes and property, and society will become more prosperous as the economy improves.
In my speech in Tirana, I said that we needed to restore pride to the word “Balkan.” Today, Mircea Geoană expressed a similar idea when he spoke of rebranding the Balkans.
When we achieve these benchmarks and standards across the region, that pride will have returned.
