This was said at the table organised by the American Economic Oda in Kosovo titled “The rise of EU benefits”, where it was discussed in terms of meeting the obligations that come out of the SAA, but also the benefits in the economic aspect of this agreement.

According to the media communiqué from OECH, the Executive Director of the American Ode, Arian Zeka, said this agreement provided a very valuable framework that should be exploited by businesses of different sectors, stressing that expectations have been much higher at the time it was signed.

European Integration Minister Gifted Hoxha said that reaching this agreement, which is the first contractual one between Kosovo and the European Union, envisions, among other things, empowering democracy, boosting international co-operation, promoting regional co-operation, and also economic development.

Minister Hoxha said that implementing the wide range of reforms that include bringing legislation closer to that of the EU, as well as increasing the access of businesses to the European market are key to maximized benefits coming from the SAA.

Minister Hoxha added that the institution it heads will continue to co-ordinate implementation of obligations stemming from the implementation of the SAA as well as the Agency for European Reform, adding that this agreement has already resulted in positive and indirect developments, citing economic growth, export growth, foreign investments, and budgetary revenues.

Business representatives who were part of the panel talked about the challenges and opportunities they face following the entry into force of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (MSA), giving their recommendations on what state institutions should do to help better inform businesses of the MSA's benefits and strengthen their capacities.