Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti has stated that the vacuum created by the European Union is being sought to be filled by other malicious actors, who, according to him, are undermining European values and endangering Kosovo’s security.
Kurti made these statements after meeting with the European Union Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, with whom he said they discussed Kosovo’s integration process and advancement towards candidate status for EU membership.
“With Commissioner Marta Kos, we have also raised the issue of candidate status and the opening of negotiations. It has been over 40 months since we applied and the moment of renewal of enlargement by the EU should result in the deserved advancement of Kosovo. We are grateful for the support of the EU, which we consider a strategic partner. Since 1999, the EU has invested over 3.7 billion euros in Kosovo. We have made progress in the fundamental pillars and we are convinced that this deserves to be recognized by the EU in the context of enlargement. We are not looking for shortcuts or backdoors, only a meritorious process,” Kurti said.
He emphasized that the support of Kosovo citizens for membership in the European Union continues to be around 90 percent, describing it as the highest level among candidate countries.
“Finding unity from the EU to make decisions about Kosovo is common,” he added.
Kurti warned that the vacuum created by the EU is being exploited by other actors with destabilizing intentions.
“The vacuum left by the EU is being sought to be filled by other malicious actors who undermine the values of the EU and endanger our common security. Therefore, it is the responsibility of all of us to ensure that Kosovo advances in the integration process,” Kurti said.
He announced that he and Commissioner Kos had a productive meeting, where they discussed Kosovo’s progress in the economy, the rule of law, and European reforms.
“Kosovo is among the three most advanced states out of 15 countries in Southeast Europe in terms of the rule of law. Our economy has been booming, while we have condemned Russian aggression in Ukraine in the strongest terms,” he declared.
According to Kurti, Kosovo has offered support to Ukraine and shelter to Ukrainian journalists, while six reform steps have already been confirmed by the European Commission, reports Telegrafi.
However, he said that the lack of a functional Assembly has contributed to the delay of several reforms and is jeopardizing the deadlines set for June.
“The lack of a functional Parliament over the past year, but also now, has caused some reforms to be delayed. We are working to minimize the impact of the blockades in the Parliament,” Kurti said.
He added that Kosovo has made moderate progress in five important chapters and that the European Commission’s report on Kosovo’s application for membership highly evaluates the country’s legal and constitutional framework.
“We have contractual relations with the EU, enjoy visa liberalization since January 1, 2024, and are part of the regional common market and the growth plan for the Western Balkans,” he declared.
Kurti also spoke about regional security issues, mentioning the attacks in Banjska and the Lepenc canal.
“Kosovo has suffered two attacks in recent years in Banjska and the Lepenc canal, both financed by our northern neighbor. We have an aggressor neighbor who attacks instead of cooperating. This is a challenge for regional security and cooperation,” Kurti said. /Telegraph/
