After liberalisation, Kosovo's goal is EU membership candidate status

The European Integration Process has been characterised with a progressive dynamic in recent years, but much remains to be done. SAA implementation is our most important priority. The implementation of the SAA now calls for linking legislation with EU standards and full implementation of legislation in practice. This will require political will, bureaucratic capacity and sustainable financing”, Minister Hoxha stressed.

All SAA chapters, Hoxha stressed, can be implemented by undertaking deep reforms in the respective sectors.

Our priorities, she stressed further, are good governance, empowering rule of law, protecting competitiveness, improving investment climates, and advancing employment and higher education policies. It offered close co-operation with all institutions to implement these priorities.

The visa liberalisation process is a must for our citizens. After receiving positive recommendation on the part of the European Commission, voting at the LIBE Commission is already clear and there should be no dilemma. Kosovo has met all conditions and now remains with EU institutions and member states to carry out their share. The quickest visa liberalisation decision for our citizens would be a better signal than the EU and member states are a reliable partner, and when states show results the other side keeps the word”, Hoxha said.

The government's strategic goal, Minister Hoxha noted, is to meet the criteria for obtaining EU membership candidate status by 2020.

“The government is aware of the tasks awaiting it in this direction, because, taking a positive view of application for candidate status will depend on the degree of responsibility of our institutions in fulfilling its” obligations, Minister Hoxha stressed and invited institutions, citizens, political spectrum and civil society to work together to fulfil the obligations emerging from the integration process.