Brussels, 07/05/2014 (Agence Europe) - On 6 May, Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Füle underlined the importance of Kosovo's holding general elections, believing that - like the continued process of normalising relations with Serbia and the continued work on the rule of law - this was a “key issue on the EU-Kosovo agenda for this year” (2014). “On the upcoming general elections - it is essential that they are fair, transparent and efficient. Kosovo should build on the successful local elections of late last year”, said Füle. “It is of critical importance for Kosovo's EU future (…) that the process is efficient and that any irregularities are swiftly dealt with”, he stated. Early elections could take place in the coming weeks.
Discussion with muncipalities in north Kosovo. Due to meet the mayors of four municipalities in north Kosovo, Füle reiterated that it was “essential” that Pristina keep up its efforts to normalise relations with Belgrade. “The key is to continue implementing all dialogue agreements and being able to offer all ethnic communities a stake in Kosovo's collective future”, he said. Together with the mayors, Füle discussed the statutes of these municipalities. “We all have agreed that it is important to finalise this process to establish conditions for the association of Serb municipalities to be created”, he said, adding that they had been able to reduce the number of open issues. “We will now reflect - after I inform my colleagues at the Commission and the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton - how we could address the remaining few issues there”, Füle stated.
“The municipalities have a very important role to play in the implementation of the April agreement” and “we will make an extra effort to be as helpful as we can in assisting them to do their job”, he said, without giving any more detail. Füle and the mayors also agreed on the way to help these municipalities more as regards projects financed by the EU. EU aid is €38.5 million to support various projects in north Kosovo.
Füle hails establishment of war court and the conclusion of the SAA. Füle also hailed Pristina's decision to agree to the new EULEX mission mandate and he hailed the establishment of a special court (see EUROPE 11066). “This is very important for our relations. It is also important for Kosovo itself. It shows the world that Kosovo has the political courage and maturity to be open and that it has nothing to hide”, he said. “It is also a marker of Kosovo's faith in the rule of law”, he said.
Füle also hoped that the stabilisation and association agreement (SAA) - for which the negotiations were concluded on Friday 2 May (see EUROPE 11071) - might be initialled “this summer”. He said that the draft text would now be discussed with the member states. (CG)