Thaci urges European leaders equal treatment for Kosovo

The country's president, Hashim Thaci, at the opening of works on the Sofia Summit Seanca Plenare, has said this summit is being held at an important moment for the European Union and the Western Balkans.

“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, as well as relying on the important principle under which the entire Western Balkans enjoys a European perspective”, the Thaci Presidency quoted Thaci as saying through a media communiqué.

The head of state has said this included the European Commission's February strategy for the Western Balkans, as well as 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 key principles of strengthened co-operation, good neighbourly relations and the need for sustainable and mandatory solutions to bilateral disputes”, 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.