Tony Blair: NATO Intervention in Kosovo Was Necessary

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has said that NATO intervention in Kosovo was necessary and that the existence of an independent state of Kosovo is proof of that.

“It would have been a terrible thing if the West had allowed the situation to continue unchecked,” Blair said in a press conference with Kosovo’s Prime Minister Hashim Thaci on Thursday. Blair is in Kosovo on a much anticipated two-day visit to meet with officials there.

“That policy has been tried in different parts of the world and it’s always failed. So when this type of brutality occurs it is right for the world to take a stand, stand up and be accountable and that’s what we did,” Blair told journalists.

Blair, while prime minister of Britain, was one of the most vocal supporters of NATO intervention in Kosovo in 1999. NATO’s action resulted in the withdrawal of Serbian troops and the placement of Kosovo under UN interim administration.

Kosovo declared its independence in 2008 and has since been recognised by 69 states, including most western countries.

Thaci said that Blair’s contribution to Kosovo remains historic and that Kosovo people are grateful for what he did.

“Mr. Blair, together with our friend Bill Clinton, you are the international torch for Kosovo’s freedom therefore we honour you as a leader and a hero of Kosovo,” Thaci said.

Kosovo’s President Fatmir Sejdiu awarded Blair with the Golden Medal of Freedom. This medal was bestowed upon Blair in 2004 by the late president Ibrahim Rugova but never delivered.

“Kosovo has no other vision. It will be a lovely country for all people, it will face challenges and it will pass them successfully,” Sejdiu said.

Blair said that Kosovo has marked progress since his last visit in 1999 and that there is a lot of work continuing now.

He added that both Kosovo and Serbia have a European perspective and it is important that the both countries move together towards that perspective.

“The more that can happen, the easier it is for issues that still remain to be resolved in a good way,” Blair said.

Today, Blair was honored by Pristina University as a “Honoris Causa”. Later on today, Blair is expected to participate in a public event at National Theatre as an opportunity for the British statesman to meet the people of Kosovo.

He is also scheduled to pay a visit to the newly restructured municipality of Gracanica.