Thaci in Skopje talks about EU membership, dialogue with Serbia and Association

The president of the Republic of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci, attended today's meeting of regional leaders, which was held in Skopje, within the process of “Brdo-Brinee”. President of the European Council Donalt Tusk and Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, whose state is leading the EU presidency, have also participated.

Through a media communiqué, it becomes known that in his speech, Thaci has said that this Sam sends a message to all that our region has changed and that it is an example of positive developments, citing the organisation of many regional meetings in the past few months.

All these meetings have made clear to all of us that today, the Balkan countries, communicate, talk, dialogue, with each other as a means to solve open issues we have. But even as a means of clearly articulating our aspirations for our future”, he stressed.

The head of state has said that “Brdo-Brione” has served as an incubator from which many ideas and initiatives have emerged that have then taken on forms of regional and wider co-operation.

It's all confirmed here that our shared aspirations are the membership of our countries in the European Union. This membership means definition of lasting peace, for stability, for development, for prosperity for all our citizens”, has added Thaci.

According to him, all have welcomed the European Commission Strategy, which 15 years after the Thessaloniki Summit, again clearly reconfirms that all Western Balkan countries have the open door to EU membership.

The Sofia, the EU and the Western Balkans' <x0m>Sam, has historical character and is an extraordinary opportunity for all of us”, he stressed.

Thaci has added that from this summit we have to make the maximum possible, as in issues related to improving infrastructure, energy, interconnection, digitalisation, youth co-operation, education, etc.

“Mbi all, we need to make clear to EU member states that we as candidate states and aspirations for EU membership, are ready for membership in the European Union”, Thaci stressed, adding that now must be carefully used and not wasting time on this positive moment created.

According to him, if we and the EU delay, then others who do not have positive agendas for the region will increase the impact in our region.

He says Kosovo is committed to carrying out its duties.

“The main achievement of this agreement is that we have found Kosovo and Montenegro among us, without mediating any third party”, the president has added.

The head of state has said Kosovo remains committed to the process of dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, and in search of a final, legally binding agreement for both sides.

He has reiterated that there is no alternative but dialogue. “We are willing to close the chapter of disputes, hostilities, conflict, and open the chapter of co-operation, good neighbourlyity and reconciliation”, has added the country's first.

Speaking of the Association of Serb majority municipalities, Thaci has said that weeks ago, the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo have operated the Management Team, which is competent for drafting the Status of the Serb-run municipalities in Kosovo.

The completion of the statute is expected to be completed within four months, as envisioned with the Brussels Agreement. The establishment of association implies Kosovo implementation of all agreements reached in Brussels. We hope that such a thing will encourage Serbia to implement all <x1) agreements in practice, he added.

The president has welcomed the joint declaration that will be issued by this summit, which according to him, the Declaration well sums up Kosovo's determination and aspirations.

Moreover, the statement makes it clear that we have taken great steps forward, as states and as a region. We demand that these steps receive our gratitude, but that the world, in particular, the European Union and EU member states”, he has said.

In the end, Thaci has said he welcomes Brussels' readiness to accept what we have said every time at this forum, that the European Union will be complete only when all Southeast European states are part of this community.

Under this summit, Thaci has held meetings with his counterparts from the region and EU states.