Thaci: EU disappointed us, but Kosovo will not sink into despair

President Hashim Thaci has commented on the European Union Enlargement Strategy document, where Kosovo is not involved in enlargement plans.

He has said that Kosovo, despite this assessment, will not sink into despair.

He says Kosovo urgently must pass the state of isolation by alluding to ratification of demarcation with Montenegro, writes Periscopi.

Thaci's full post:

The European Commission published yesterday the new strategy for the prospect of integration of the Western Balkans into the European Union. I appreciate this strategy as an EU effort to boost commitment and promote reforms of the countries of the region for EU membership.

Therefore, I welcome the drafting of this strategic document, which treats Kosovo as an integral part of the European Union's enlargement plans.

However, for well-known political reasons, unfortunately, this document has failed to present a perspective of comprehensive and equal membership for all countries in the region. In particular, this strategy has failed to provide clarity for Kosovo's EU membership.

This unfair approach to Kosovo is the result of non-recognition by five EU member states, respectively, of the EU's inability to take a unique stance on Kosovo. But Kosovo will not sink into despair.

We must use the full potential of this strategy to advance our position on the road to membership, implement necessary European reforms, and complete the process of dialogue with Serbia mediated by the EU.

Kosovo urgently must overcome the state of isolation by ratifying the border line agreement with Montenegro, which also brings visa removal for our citizens from the EU.

Then, we have to work every day with a commitment to ward off any political barrier in order to realise our aspirations for Euro-Atlantic integration. HTH