Speech of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi, on the occasion of signing of the Constitution of Kosovo at the National Library on 7 April 2008.
Honorable President Sejdiu
Honorable President of Assembly Krasniqi,
Honorable Mr. Ruker,
Honorable Mr. Feith,
Honorable Tina Kaidanow, head of US Office,
Honorable heads of other diplomatic offices,
Members of the Constitutional Commission,
Members of the Assembly Presidency and Government,
Presidents of Municipalities,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honor to congratulate you on behalf of the Government of Independence of Kosovo on the signing of the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo.
Today we are legitimizing the act of the declaration of the independence of Kosovo on 17 February 2007.
The Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo is our will – because it derives from the will of the people of Kosovo.
Kosovo, for the first time in its political history, is adopting a Constitution, in accordance with the will of its people.
The Constitution is our hope – because it opens a perspective for a better future for us.
The Constitution is our Trust, because the democratic societies are bound by their Trust in the Constitution.
The New Constitution is the value of our freedom, because in democratic societies, the highest Patriotism is Trust in the Constitution, respect of and abiding by the Constitution.
The Constitution is our identity – because our people have fought for freedom.
This Constitution is the document that guarantees Freedom.
We have sacrificed a long time for this day.
This Constitution is the document, it is the seal of the state.
We have made many striving and worthy efforts for dignity.
This Constitution guarantees the dignity of all the citizens of Kosovo.
Our new and democratic state is becoming more functional and effective every day, it is regulating its legal and political life the way it is in all the states of the democratic world.
The Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo, a process I have followed from the very beginning, represents a contract between the people to build and exercise the public policies.
The Constitution in Kosovo has for a long time been a legal, political and also an emotional act.
We all feel happy and responsible today to approve a Constitution that institutionalizes the authority, that defines and allocates it, and that creates the basis for the building of a political, economic and civic system.
The New Constitution will determine the governing system, the fundamental values in a society, freedoms and the rights of the people and the exercise of the rights in the state of Kosovo.
This Constitution creates equal opportunities for all the people of Kosovo.
It is one step more towards the respect of the will of the people of Kosovo and for the realization of the international commitments about the rights of communities in our state.
The Citizens of Kosovo, with this Constitution, are given assurances about their rights and obligations and will be treated like in any other democratic state.
It is the first time that Kosovo is adopting its Constitution, without fear for anyone and with equal and advanced opportunities for all.
I commend the members of the Constitutional Commission for the huge work they did in partnership with the internationals.
The Government of Kosovo will strongly support this draft for adoption in Assembly and commits itself to fully respecting it to the letter.
One more time, I commend and congratulate You and all the people of the Republic of Kosovo on their Constitution.