The sooner the demarcation is ratified

In this interview given to the newspaper “The new era”, it has stated that the country's institutions have a priority for citizens' interests and respect for international obligations.

Kosovo and its citizens do not deserve isolation. The Republic of Kosovo is a story of success not only of our being, but also of our international friends. Nothing and no one can stop Kosovo's EU integration process. Our institutional policy has priority citizens' interests and respect for international obligations”, Hoxha has indicated.

She has said that Kosovo welcomes the European Union presidency leadership from Bulgaria, as, according to Hoxha, this will be positive for Kosovo. The integration process for Kosovo is not an alternative, it is our only way, our commitment in this direction is powerful.

Also, we welcome any support coming from the European Commission and other instances, with continued recommendations for our institutions as well as other important European instances for this vital process”, she stressed, adding that the government has European agenda priorities and the integration of the country into the European family.

Hoxha has suggested that Kosovo will apply for membership in the European Council this year, while candidate country's status in the European Union aims to receive it in 2020.

“We will run for candidate status by the end of 2018 on the European Council and expect to receive candidate country status by 2020. However, even though this is ambitious, I think we have willingness and political will, with the dedication of legislative and executive institutions, that our country can open up perspectives in the service of the present and our Euro-Atlantic future”, it has said.

European Integration Minister Litera Hoxha has called on the Kosovo Assembly to ratify Kosovo's demarcation with Montenegro on the contrary, according to her, the European Union begins to lose interest in Kosovo.

Hoxha has said that with ratification of the demarcation, the isolation of Kosovo and its citizens ends.

Kosovo has no time to waste on this issue, because even citizens' patience has already begun to lose, because the losses our citizen is undergoing with this isolation are extraordinary. Our youth, in the first place, our economy and all of our institutions have limits like no one in Europe, so the deputies of the Parliament, given that they are the people's elected and are there to make decisions about the future of the country, must ratify the demarcation. One thing is already clear, that visa liberalisation is in us, Kosovo politicians”, Hoxha has expressed.

Mrs. Hoxha, with what dynamics are Kosovo's integration processes running, including the implementation of the SAA?

Hoxha: Our permanent commitment is to integrating the process. All actors are involved in implementing the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, in realising its components within the planned timeline for implementation. The integration process for Kosovo is not an alternative, it is our only way, and our commitment in this direction is powerful. We have deadlines for each case. The responsible institutions are aware of our expectations and obligations to implement our national priority, the integration process. We also welcome any support coming from the European Commission and other instances, with continued recommendations for our institutions as well as other important European instances for this vital process of ours.

On 1 January, Bulgaria leads the European Union presidency. How much is Kosovo willing to co-operate with this state in relation to European integration?

Hoxha: Kosovo welcomes the European Union presidency leadership from Bulgaria. The Bulgarian state is a friendly state of Kosovo, and for that it has given powerful evidence. In fact, in the context of priorities within this leadership, Bulgaria has declared that integration of the Western Balkans is a priority of its presidency, so I see that priority and a highly positive climate for our process.

How many are impacting recent political developments, namely initiatives for the abolition of the Special Court and the disapproval of demarcation on Kosovo's EU integration?

Hoxha: Kosovo and its citizens do not deserve isolation. The Republic of Kosovo is a story of success not only of our being, but also of our international friends. Nothing and no one can stop Kosovo's EU integration process. I think we have untapped positive energy in the face of current challenge. Our institutional policy has priority citizens' interests and respect for international obligations. I don't doubt we'll make it with the commitment to implementing our vows.

Within the ruling coalition are major differences in terms of ratification of demarcation in the Kosovo Assembly. How will these differences be overcome?

Hoxha: The Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo has to ratify Kosovo's demarcation with Montenegro, on the contrary, the European Union begins to lose interest in Kosovo, because within the institutions of the European Union, elections begin. The demarcation vote would have put European Parliament institutions on the move as soon as Kosovo is allowed visa removal. I strongly believe in national consensus on issues involving European integration, even citing the role the opposition has in this process. This consensus was confirmed by ratification of the IPA agreement during November in the Parliament and demonstrated that this national consensus on European integration still continues, because the agreement was voted on by all MPs, for which I thank them.

Do you believe that within this month the Kosovo Assembly will end demarcation in order to liberalise visas?

Hoxha: Kosovo has no time to lose on this issue, because even the citizens' patience has already begun to lose, because the losses our citizen is undergoing with this isolation are extraordinary. Our youth, in the first place, our economy and all of our institutions have limits like no one in Europe, so the deputies of the Parliament, given that they are the people's elected and are there to make decisions about the future of the country, must ratify the demarcation. One thing is now clear, that visa liberalisation is in us, Kosovo politicians.

You feel responsible as a coalition for the isolation of Kosovo, because this government is jeopardising relations with friendly countries and strategic partners, failing to meet international obligations?

Hoxha: This government already has the European agenda and the integration of the country into the European family, where it belongs, with history, culture and value. Any obligation that belongs to EU institutions will be carried out precisely, not to the demands of international institutions against us, but to the citizens of the country, our national interest and Euro-Atlantic values. Our country's strategic allies will continue to be further our partners, because we cannot stop the history of our common success, that of freedom, democracy and Western values.

Mrs. Hoxha, you have said that during this year Kosovo will apply for EU candidate status. Given the recent developments and non-recognition of Kosovo by the five EU nations, when will this happen?

Hoxha: The Government Plan and European Integration Goals are known. We have made this governing plan very clear in terms of European integration. We will run for candidate status by the end of 2018 on the European Council and expect to receive candidate status by 2020. However, even though this is ambitious, I think we have willingness and political will. With the dedication of legislative and executive institutions, our country can open up prospects in the service of the present and our Euro-Atlantic future. We can't run for candidate status if we don't make progress in the ERA process, if we don't make progress in implementing the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, so these two processes are our strengths and we have to use it in the function of our thorough progress and undertaken reforms in the functioning of the country's application for candidate status. We have to produce results in this process and consider ourselves ready. We have knowledge and will. We also have international support. We don't have a choice.