EU welcomes establishment of new government in Kosovo

[News_Editor]

EU welcomes establishment of new government in Kosovo

2011-02-24 02:28:51 GMT+7 (ICT)

BRUSSELS (BNO NEWS) -- The European Union on Wednesday welcomed the establishment of a new government in Kosovo following the presidential elections.

"We look forward to working with them to improve the lives of the people of Kosovo and to help them fulfill Kosovo's European perspective," said EU High Representative Catherine Ashton and Commissioner Stefan Füle in a joint statement.

On Tuesday, Behgjet Pacolli was voted as president of Kosovo after receiving the necessary votes in the Assembly. Pacolli is the third president of Kosovo after 62 Members of the Parliament voted for him 4 against and one abstention.

Pacolli was sworn as president after a voting that needed three rounds. The newly elected president did not obtain the minimum votes during the first two rounds (54 and 58 respectively).

However, after five-minute pause in accordance with the Law of the Regulation, Pacolli was elected as the third Kosovo leader. Opposition MEPs called the move unconstitutional and a violation of the law.

Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, who is also leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), said on Wednesday after his first meeting with President Pacolli that it was the "best day in the history of government in Kosovo."

Thaci added that in comparison with the previous government, this will be recognized for its integration efforts. According to the PM, the main point in Pacolli's government agenda is the integration of Kosovo with the EU.

In this issue, Ashton and Füle said that the EU will be working closely with the new government but called for Pacolli to strengthen public administration, enhance the rule of law and to ensure the integration of all communities.

During his first day as president, Pacolli visited the residence of former Kosovo President Ibrahim Rugova in Pristina and vowed to continue Rugova's path to strengthen the state. The new president also remarked that the people of Kosovo is unified and will continue that way.

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