Pacolli: EU unification for region is necessary due to Russian influence

Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Behgjet Pacolli has warned the EU to be more unique to the Balkan region, and in particular to Kosovo, due to increased Russian influence in the region.

He indicated that he has told his European counterparts that Kosovo's non-recognition of the 5 EU nations slows Kosovo's walk towards European integration, but that they divided the EU into the region and are making it weak in the face of third acts that are trying to penetrate our country.

Kosovo, like all other countries in the region, will participate in the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Sofia in the month of May, where it is expected to be supported by all EU heads of state and government the clear and concrete prospect of enlargement, for all countries in the region, including Kosovo.

Any attempt to undermine Kosovo's presence in the summit or exclude our state symbols represents a lack of vision and clarity for the region. By the time the Russian influence has increased in the region, it has become more than necessary to unify the EU against our region. Any other tendency not to have a unification of European policy lies with Kosovo, weakens the EU in the region and undermines the prospect of Europeanisation of the Western Balkans.

Kosovo will participate like all other states at the Sofia summit and do not compromise here! I have told my European counterparts several times that non-recognition by the five EU countries, not only is it slowing Kosovo's walk towards European integration, but it is dividing the EU in the region and making it weak in the face of third acts that are trying to infiltrate us”, Pacolli has said.