The President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, announced, on Tuesday 6 December, upon her arrival at the EU/Western Balkans summit in Tirana, that her country would apply to become a candidate for EU membership by the end of the year.
“I will announce to the leaders that Kosovo will submit its application for EU membership by the end of this year and, of course, I hope for the full support of the Member States”, she explained.
Asked about the subject after the summit, and in particular about the non-recognition of Kosovo’s independence by five European countries, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, said that the information had indeed been communicated by the President. When the request is formally addressed to the EU, “it will be up to the Council of the Union to deal first with this initiative and to see what follow-up will be given”.
Kosovo is the only Balkan country that has not applied for membership.
Ms Osmani also called on the EU to move from words to deeds regarding visa liberalisation for her country’s citizens. The EU Council has agreed to this (see EUROPE 13074/13) and negotiations are due to start on 14 December with the European Parliament, which also supports this liberalisation. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)