The visa assessment report has yet to be completed

He said that during Austria's presidency with the EU, the priority will be migration, as the current key issue in the EU, the economy, but also the continuation of co-operation with Western Balkan countries, to help on their road towards European integration.

“If you know, Austria has strong historical ties with the region and we are more than dedicated as a member of the EU when it comes to the issue of the European perspective of Kosovo and other countries of the region, the construction of the broad strategy is an EC position this year, in the Sofia Summit declaration and decisions made by the Council in June, so we want to deepen relations between Kosovo and the countries of the region with the EU, and we have progress during our presidency”, PfP said.

He has already announced that the report on the assessment of meeting the criteria has not yet been completed so that the decision about visa liberalisation can be made.

Pfandler: The visa assessment report has yet to be concluded

“Dialog has the potential to move forward in the coming days and months and Kosovo political leaders are aware of this and want to achieve progress and the process is facilitated by Moghrin and the presidency stands ready to support whether there is a need. Visa liberalisation is important. Citizens are currently awaiting the Commission's report and whether the criteria have been met, and as soon as the report is completed, it will be processed to see the Council and Parliament for further actions”, Pfandler said.

While EU Office chief Natalia Apostolova has called the EU's commitment to the European integration of the Western Balkan region important, stressing that Albania and Macedonia will open EU membership negotiations next year.

It reflects from the values of dialogue on normalising relations, and we hope that this will affect reaching a legal and sustainable solution with Belgrade. Regional progress has also reflected the need for dedication to work on addressing needed reforms in Kosovo. There are achievements in several areas over the past years, however more progress must be made in implementing European reforms”, she said.

Apostolova has demonstrated confidence that Kosovo will achieve the implementation of reforms step by step, in the rule of law, public administration, and other areas, while awaiting stronger co-operation with the EU during Austria's Presidency leadership.