On Tuesday 7 December, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, called on Kosovo to continue its reform efforts and to engage in the Dialogue for the normalisation of relations with Serbia.
At the end of the 4th EU-Kosovo Stabilisation and Association Council, the High Representative highlighted in particular the continued fight against corruption and organised crime and the reform of public administration. Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti said his country was very active in the fight against corruption and organised crime, explaining that this year there had been “500 police operations” and “49 criminal groups destroyed”.
Mr Borrell also called for “constructive engagement” in the Dialogue with Belgrade, adding that there was much work to be done. “All past agreements must be respected and fully implemented”, he stressed. While Mr Kurti said he was fully committed to the Dialogue, according to the High Representative, a precondition for further talks is the willingness of the parties to agree on concrete results, but this is not the case at the moment.
The Kosovar Prime Minister recalled that his country has a European destiny and that there is no alternative. According to the joint statement issued at the end of the Council, Kosovo has indicated its intention to apply for membership.
Mr Kurti called once again for visa liberalisation for his citizens, adding that it had been “3 years, 4 months and 3 weeks” since the European Commission had, for the second time, recommended such liberalisation.
He also highlighted his country’s economic progress in 2021 - growth should reach 9.9% - and in the fight against Covid-19. According to him, almost 60% of the Kosovar population over 16 years old is fully vaccinated.
See the joint statement: https://bit.ly/303DiA5 (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)