EU official criticises Kosovo for recent events, has a request for association

The EU Office in Kosovo has announced a visit to Angelina Eichhorst, Director for Western Europe, the Western Balkans and Turkey, and Deputy Managing Director at the European Foreign Action Service (EEAS), which has met political leaders without mentioning their names. According to the announcement, Eichhorst has called for the formation of the majority Serbian Communists' association without any delay, has called for the leaders' commitment to the Special Court, while criticising Kosovo for the arrest of Marko Djuric, saying his security and arrests of 6 gylenists have been jeopardised.

As it becomes known in the announcement the Association of Communists with the Serbian Majority will be subject to Albanian and Serbian negotiators, while implementing this agreement is required without any delay.

For these requirements and criticisms, the EU has announced the very day Ramush Haradinaj has also addressed sharp criticism of Brussels of sluggishness in the negotiations process.

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Eichhorst in Pristina: EU welcomes announcement that the start of drafting of Association Centre / Community of Serb Major Municipals in Kosovo

Angelina Eichhorst, Director for Western Europe, the Western Balkans and Turkey and Deputy Managing Director at the European Foreign Action Service (EEAS), was on a two-day visit to Pristina to address recent developments and future emergency steps.

Along with Kosovo's political leaders, society and security representatives, Eichhorst discussed Kosovo's European integration agenda following the adoption of the Commission's new strategy for the Western Balkans and in the sense of future annual European Commission reports, including Kosovo, to be published on April 17th.

Kosovo's “People in the report will have the opportunity to read an assessment from the first hand regarding Kosovo's progress in implementing the Stabilisation and Association Agreement and the European Reforms Agency. Issues of supporting international legislation, rule of law, justice, transparency, regular legal process and fair judgment, as well as the fight against organised crime are important elements to which progress will be measured. Remaining committed to the EU agenda as its strategic orientation, Kosovo can expect constructive, effective and productive co-operation with the EU and the region as a whole”, Eichhorst said.

It cited the importance of the successful vote in the Assembly, with which the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro was ratified, a long-awaited and important step towards visa liberalisation. She also welcomed the positive work regarding the latest legislation adopted in the Assembly. The function of solid institutions is very necessary, in cases where there are questions, also among the population here and not only in Brussels, and when wisdom, trust and leadership are essential”.

Special emphasis has been given to the EU facilitated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina and recent events in Mitrovica, with which the security of Serbia's chief negotiator and many people living and working in the north was at risk.

Eichhorst underlined that any dispute between Belgrade and Pristina should be addressed and resolved peacefully in and through Dialogue and stressed the urgent need to accelerate implementation of the agreements reached. “Kosovo must implement the agreement for Association / Community of Serb majority municipalities without further delays”, she said.

In this direction, Eichhorst warmly welcomed Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj's announcement of the start of the management team's work. “We will now invite chief negotiators from Belgrade and Pristina, their teams, as well as the Managing Team and technical experts for discussions in Brussels, and engage constructively and confidently in the process of drafting”, she said.

Eichhorst also cited the delay in implementing the energy agreement, and reiterated the urgent need to allow Kosovo to be part of regional power transmission mechanisms.

As for the early arrest and deportation of six Turkish citizens with a legal position in Kosovo and the subsequent investigation initiated by Prime Minister Haradinaj, Eichhorst said this extradition raised many questions in Brussels on the proper process, transparency and justice. “In line with Kosovo's commitment to working together for a free and democratic future, as defined in the SAA, all actions of institutions are conditioned by full respect for the rule of law and universal promotion of respect and follow-up international regulations and norms, even when it comes to extradition of”.

In the end, Kosovo's continued commitment to Special Chambers demonstrates courage and determination to make further progress towards EU integration and to make sincere efforts aimed at guaranteeing rule of law, fundamental freedoms, justice and reconciliation. During meetings, the role of EULEX to help Kosovo build the capacity of institutions of rule of law, creating a multiethnic judiciary system free of political interference.