Thaci in Sofia: Ready to enter final phase of dialogue with Serbia

The country's president, Hashim Thaci, at the opening of the works of the Sofia Summit of Plenare Seanca Plenare, where the theme “works out of all interconnection dimensions (socio-economic, physical, digital and humane) has said this summit is taking place at an important moment for the European Union and the Western Balkans.

He, after supporting the contents of this summit's declaration and Sofia's priority agenda, said European and Balkan leaders that Kosovo is and will remain fully committed to these goals, including the EU facilitated dialogue for normalising relations between Kosovo and Serbia.

“This summit between the European Union and the Western Balkans is an extraordinary joint success, but in particular of our colleagues, the Bulgarian presidency. The success of this summit is based on maintaining engagement with Western Balkan states through a comprehensive and equal approach, and is based on the important principle under which the entire Western Balkans enjoys a European perspective”, President Thaci has said.

The head of state has said it includes the European Commission's February strategy for the Western Balkans, as well as our commitment through numerous initiatives, among them the Berlin Process, the liaison agenda and the multi-year Action Plan for the Regional Economic Zone, as well as other forums aimed at bringing Western Balkan states closer to one another and closer to the European Union.

I have the satisfaction of also personally confirming Kosovo's support for the contents of this summit's declaration and Sofia's priority agenda. We fully support the key principles of strengthened co-operation, good neighbourly relations and the need for sustainable and mandatory solutions to bilateral disputes”, President Thaci has said.

Before European and Balkan leaders, President Thaci has said that Kosovo is and will remain fully committed to these goals, including the EU-attensive dialogue for normalising relations between Kosovo and Serbia.

Kosovo is ready to enter the final phase of dialogue with Serbia for reaching a legally binding agreement for normalising relations and reconciliation. Let me stress the need for equal rules of the game now that we are moving towards further implementation of the topics we are discussing in this summit, and in the case of Kosovo this includes a quick conclusion of the visa liberalisation process for which Kosovo has fulfilled all 95 criteria required”, he said.

President Thaci has added that if we really want a lasting impact on the approach of the region, this should also mean removing the various barriers currently present.

That includes, but is not limited, according to President Thaci, in recognising the qualifications, certificates and other documents, reducing the waiting time at the border, interacting in the field of energy, ensuring freedom of movement for people within the region by removing visas, but also living off other commitments we have previously made as a region.