Brussels, 18/07/2013 (Agence Europe) - During a visit to Pristina on 18 July, Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Füle said he hoped negotiations on the stabilisation and association agreement (SAA) with Kosovo could be drawn to a close by spring 2014.
Speaking of the negotiations for an agreement after his meeting with Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi, European Integration Minister Vlora Citaku and Foreign Minister Enver Hoxhaj, he said: “I am optimistic that we can make very good progress - and even finish - by next spring”. Addressing the parliament, he reiterated: “In close consultation with our member states, I propose we set ourselves the ambitious target of wrapping up our work in the spring”.
The timeframe is tight. Füle said the EU is preparing the draft agreement to be discussed after the summer break with Kosovo. During his speech, he suggested that talks on this agreement should begin “after the summer, in close consultation with our member states”. He added: “I propose we appoint our respective negotiators”, and also advocated that formal negotiation sessions take place in October, November, and February of next year and that joint technical working groups be set up to prepare the sessions. Füle said that, in parallel, Kosovo must continue its efforts and its work on the priorities of the feasibility study. “Kosovo is now placed firmly in the enlargement mainstream”, the commissioner said by way of conclusion. (CG/transl.jl)