Hoti at the Sofia Summit: We are committed to resolving all bilateral issues with Serbia

The Sofia Summit's theme was the Joint Regional Market (Centiary) towards the European Union Market.

At the end of this summit, the six Western Balkan member states signed two statements -- the one for the Joint Regional Market and the Declaration on the Green Aegean.

In this case, Prime Minister Hoti said they are taking an important step together as six Western Balkan countries, equal in rights and responsibility.

It was a virtual meeting. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, France's President Emmanuel Macron, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and other citizens of EU member states participated in this meeting.

Hoti's full speech:

Leading ones, Prime Minister Zaev and Prime Minister Borisov, Honor and colleagues,

It is an honor and pleasure to join leaders of the Western Balkans, along with leaders of the European Union member states and other partners, in joint efforts to develop regional co-operation, taking concrete steps to get closer to the European Union.

I think we all agree that considerable progress has been made since the Berlin Process began. And, of course, this has become possible thanks to the powerful leadership of the founders and supporters of this process.

I believe today we are taking an important step together as six Western Balkan countries, equal in rights and responsibility.

Clearly, Regional Economic Co-operation stimulates growth, increases competitiveness and foreign investment in the region, speeding up our convergence towards the European Union.

The six Western Balkan countries, even now are free trade areas, but to realize the full benefits of our regional co-operation, we must remove all barriers of free movement of goods, capital, services and people. Kosovo is committed to doing so.

What prevents us from fully developing the potential of Regional Economic Co-operation is the lack of full normalisation of relations between the countries of the region, particularly the lack of recognition of Kosovo by Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. I, I expect the dialogue process in Brussels will be completed successfully soon. We are committed to resolving all bilateral issues with Serbia as part of the Brussels process.

It should be noted that not all Western Balkan countries are on the same scale as European integrations. Moreover, some countries in the region have free market agreements with third countries of the East and Far East, which enable them, access to our markets without necessary contributions to the region's social and physical infrastructure.

Therefore, I believe that we should agree to create a mechanism that ensures a coordinated process of decision-making every country in our region on issues related to the common regional market.

Finally, let me stress that the Regional Economic Zone is by no means an alternative to European integration.

This should help us build the necessary capacities, accelerate full and common membership of our countries in the European Union.

That's exactly why I welcome and fully support this process. Kosovo will take all necessary steps to boost capacities, always on equal grounds.

Thank you very much for your attention and attention.