The EU again makes it clear to Haradinaj: No visa ratification of demarcation, fighting corruption

This has been made clear by Christian Danielsson, Director General for Neighborship and Negotia for European Commission Enlargement, during his stay in Pristina.

Danielsson, who has met with Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj, who has officially launched the Programme for Economic Reform, has said that one of the challenges in efforts to realise reforms is addressing the issue of organised crime as well as corruption.

It's important for several reasons. It is important for Kosovo itself. It's important for the business climate. If we talk to economic operators and ask them what the important issues are for them and which would enable job creation, they mention corruption and organised crime”, Danielsson said.

Therefore, it is important to address these issues. Also, this is one of the criteria, with regard to visa liberalisation guides”, he stressed.

He also said that to obtain visa liberalisation, the other criteria remain ratification of the Agreement for marking the border line with Montenegro.

The “Criteria are publicly recognised and we advise that it be seen how to address these criteria. This belongs to the Government of Kosovo. For our part, commitment is clear. One step has been taken. The Commission (European) is willing to make the recommendation for visa liberalisation once these issues are carried out”, Danielsson said.

A day earlier, Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj had declared that the answer from Brussels about visa liberalisation could come to Kosovo within three months.

Kosovo Foreign Minister Behgjet Pacolli stayed in Brussels last week, where he demanded that the demarcation of the border with Montenegro be skipped as a condition for visa liberalisation, at least for a certain period. But this requirement, so far, has not been backed by any public statement by EU officials, who have reaffirmed that ratification of the border demarcation with Montenegro remains the condition that Kosovo move forward in the visa removal process.

Prime Minister Haradinaj is recognised as one of the most strict opponents of the current version of the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro. He has already mandated the new state commission for marking the border line and has given him competencies to correct the already signed Agreement by the last government of Kosovo and Montenegro. This agreement, however, has been ratified in Montenegro's Parliament, but not in Kosovo's.

Meanwhile, after meeting with senior EU official, Haradinaj said implementing the necessary reforms is important for Kosovo's path towards European integration. According to him, reforms in order -- law and judiciary -- in which the impasse is marked -- are of direct interest to Kosovo. However, according to him, the focus of today's meeting with Mr. Danielsson has been the Programme for Economic Reform and the launch of this programme for next year.

“There was a good opportunity to get, directly from Mr. Danielsson, suggestions on the most important aspects of this program. This confirms the EU's commitment to the European perspective for Kosovo and our region”, Haradinaj has said.

He has added that if Kosovo fails to meet reforms and does not testify to its seriousness on this issue, “will condemn myself, because processes slow down and aid decrease or stop”.

Prime Minister Haradinaj has also stressed that the Programme for Economic Reform is not only the responsibility of the Government, but also of civil society, political parties and all communities and communities in Kosovo.