EU Office chief disappointed, says she will address Kadri Wessel

“The SAA is a tool that has a real political impact. The more criteria are met, the more Kosovo will be close to the EU. With the signing of the SAA, Kosovo has pledged market liberalisation. Authorities have agreed to line up for the legal body and for EU standards”, Apostolova has said.

Those comments have been made on a panel organised by the European Integration Group for Political and Juridical Studies, in which it has been discussed in the implementation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement in Kosovo, attended by European Integration Minister Litera Hoxha and Dutch Deputy Ambassador to Kosovo Peter Verheyen.

Furthermore, the EU chief has expressed disappointment with the failure to maintain any plenary session of the Kosovo Assembly since his constitutional institution.

Apostolova has said that her disappointment will be expressed to the chairman of the Parliament, Kadri Wessel. “Express my concern that the Assembly has never been met at a formal meeting. Kosovo has no time to lose”, Apostolova has said.

The head of the EU Office stated that the Kosovo Parliament's reasoning that parliamentary groups have not yet proposed the commission members, heads and deputy speakers has not convinced him much. According to her, parliamentary groups have so far had to close this issue and the Assembly start operating, Zeri writes.

On the other hand, European Integration Minister Gift Hoxha has said a new dynamic is needed in implementing the SAA. According to Hoxha, the implementation of the SAA requires the approach of legislation with that of the EU, but political will is required to do so.

It has also added that there will be new dynamics in this direction and that it will publicly let the ministries know, which do not in time meet the criteria and are blocked, but also those that succeed in this area. According to the Minister of Integration, the priority remains the area of rule of law and reforms in improving the business climate.

While Dutch deputy ambassador to Kosovo Peter Verheyen has said that the Netherlands will continue to support Kosovo, but it needs to have the country's institutions more committed to reforms.

“The Assembly and the Government of Kosovo must demonstrate their commitment to stand up to reforms. You are the one who must build the house of democracy. Kosovo needs better future. The Netherlands is one of the founders and we will support Kosovo in the EU approach process”, he has said.