Hoxhaj in Strasbourg: Non-recognition by five EU nations, challenging Kosovo agenda

Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister Enver Hoxhaj has given a speech to European Parliament deputies about the 10th anniversary of Kosovo's citizenship, where he has spoken of the achievements and challenges associated with the statehood of our country.

Hoxhaj said it is unimaginable that in the wake of Kosovo's 10th anniversary of independence, there are still five EU countries that have not recognised Kosovo. The agenda against international recognition of Kosovo is Russia's agenda, and it is absurd that in 2018, EU states have not found common language in terms of Kosovo.

This lack of unity within the EU has also been reflected in Kosovo's position in the new EU strategy for enlargement in the Balkans. Hoxhaj said the EU should do more for the remaining five non-recognising countries to recognise Kosovo and accept the new reality in Europe.

Deputy Prime Minister Hoxhaj also spoke about the regional context and Kosovo's position. He said Kosovo has happened to be neighbouring Serbia, which has made many integration processes difficult. With Russia's support, Serbia has blocked Kosovo's membership in the UN, but also in many other organisations.

Apart from the blockades in the international plan, it has been testified many times how Serbia has always found a way to intervene in Kosovo's internal affairs in order to cause domestic instability”, Hoxhaj concluded.