Deputy Prime Minister Hoxhaj criticises the EU: You're favouring Serbia

Deputy Prime Minister Evner Hoxhaj has commented on the European Commission's strategy for all Western Balkan states, saying that through this strategy the path to the European Union is open to all Balkan countries.

In his Facebook post, however, Hoxha says the savement for Serbia's EU membership shows a favourable and unrealistic policy.

“Well, the acceleration to membership Serbia when it has consistently developed destructive policy in relation to Kosovo and the region reflects more a policy of favouring than reality. We're not just using dialogue as an instrument to support one country and not the other” has written Hoxha, Periscope reports.

Full Posting:

The strategy that was presented today by the European Commission is an important event for all Western Balkan states, showing that the European perspective of all six states is open. In a new geopolitical context and in a complex and interdependent world policy of enlargement is the most necessary strategic approach for the region, but also for the future of the European Union itself.
For Kosovo it is important that together with other states it is part of the enlargement policy, and our contractual report with the European Union through the implementation of the SAA makes our membership unstoppable. Our expectations have been and are that this strategy will truly be a guide on the road to membership, offering a time calendar and concrete stages of advancing Kosovo's position. We've constantly requested balanced access, which even we've achieved to some point.
The strategy is of particular importance since special attention is given to Kosovo's dialogue -- Serbia. It is true that the stability of the region depends on the normalisation of Kosovo relations, Serbia, which would complete Brussels' dialogue with mutual recognition and Kosovo membership in the UN. Therefore, the EU's clarity in relation to dialogue and its constitutional policy is vital to bringing one of the most difficult historical challenges in the Western Balkans.

We support all countries in the region on the road to the European Union. However, the acceleration to membership Serbia when it has consistently developed destructive policy in relation to Kosovo and the region reflects more a policy of favouring than reality. We are not to use dialogue only as an instrument to support one country rather than another.
It is vital for the peace and stability of the region to have a fair process and comprehensive access based on credit for all respective states pertaining to the membership process. This means that, with the fulfillment of the internal criteria, we expect the EU that Kosovo will receive visa liberalisation within 2018, as well as in a short time to receive the recommendation for membership candidate status. This would be evidence of mutual devotion and a merit process for all.
We are aware that there are five states within the European Union that have not yet recognised Kosovo. But it is more likely that the EU will influence these states to recognize the reality of independent Kosovo and advance Kosovo's position in relation to EU institutions than they can become blocking Kosovo.
It is good that with this strategy there is more Europe in the Balkans and more Balkans in Europe. Kosovo's pace speed depends on the internal context as much on the external one, but internal speed of movement depends only on us. Therefore, we as institutions can take steps with other countries that have started this process many years ago, accelerating the implementation of the SAA, reform in justice, economic development, as well as obligations and agreements that we agreed on. At the same time, this strategy is clear evidence that the future of the Western Balkans lies in the European Union.