POLITICAL SITUATION IN KOSOVO

That this House welcomes the eighth anniversary of Kosovo's independence and the progress that Kosovo has made in these few short years towards establishing its place in the international community, growing its economy and improving relations with Serbia; notes with concern, however, that recent political tensions in Kosovo threaten to undermine this stability, with a minority of opposition hon. Members organising violent protests and firing teargas in the national parliament; agrees with US Secretary of State John Kerry, who stated in December 2015 that the Kosovo national assembly should be a shrine to democracy, a place of reverence and of respect, that it is not the place of teargas, and it is not the place for intimidation; further notes that the Kosovo assembly will vote on the country's next President in the coming days and expresses hope that the successful candidate will obtain a clear majority and advance Kosovo's international standing; and urges all political parties to resolve their differences through dialogue and debate.