Hoxha Says Kosovo to Enter EU Like Other Western Balkan Countries

Minister of European Integration, Gift Hoxha, as a panelist, has taken to heart the case, on Kosovo's “road to the European Union”, under the organisation of the Liberal Political Academy and the support of the centre's international foundation, where it highlighted the importance of the European integration process and the Government's commitment to the process.

The European integration process has been characterised with a progressive dynamic in recent years, but much remains to be done. The Stabilisation and Association Agreement (MSA) has entered into force, creating contractual obligations between Kosovo and the EU on one side, and on the other representing the foundations of our EU membership”, Hoxha stressed, suggesting that the next most important step is visa liberalisation.

The European Commission's extremely positive report, the minister said, has confirmed the work of Kosovo institutions by testifying that it has met all required criteria -- a total of 95 for visa liberalisation -- and expects the EU to keep its promises and carry out its duties, citizens of the Republic of Kosovo have the opportunity to travel freely to European Union countries.

Kosovo is now part of EU programmes at the equal level with all Western Balkan states. After the SAA's entry into force and we hope for visa liberalisation, the Government's strategic goal now is to meet the criteria for obtaining EU membership candidate status by 2020”, Hoxha stressed, and added that European integration is not an alternative but our only way.

The EU's enlargement strategy, he added, makes it clear that Kosovo will enter the EU as if other Western Balkan countries are not in the situation they are now. This means a lot to Kosovo and I think it should be seen as positive and should be used to the maximum.