The new EU ambassador: I want Kosovars to travel fast without visas

We have created thousands of jobs, supported hundreds of companies, and built many schools. Thanks to EU funds, Pristina today has an endless supply of drinking water, and tens of thousands of citizens enjoy the central heating of the first grade”, he writes, saying that over the past 20 years, the EU has invested over 2.5 billion euros in every segment of Kosovo society.

The new EU ambassador to Kosovo says he wants Kosovo citizens to be able to travel without visas as soon as possible. The European Commission and the European Parliament have said that Kosovo has fulfilled all the conditions and recommended lifting visas for Kosovo. The final decision must now be made by EU member states”, he follows.

Szunyog adds that <x0incures the fact that dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade has been renewed and that the EU has appointed Miroslav Lajcak as EU Special Representative for Dialogue. The sooner the normalisation of relations occurs, the sooner Kosovo will be able to move forward”.

Full record of new EU Ambassador to Kosovo Thomas Szunyog

I am grateful for the opportunity to serve in Kosovo and will do my utmost to support Kosovo on its European path

I have fallen to address issues dealing with Kosovo since 1998 and have visited Pristina several times in the quality of the state official as my country's representative. I have learned that people in Kosovo are very open, hospitable and hardworking.

I have arrived in Kosovo in challenging times of COVID-19, when many people in the world are experiencing mental, physical and economic difficulties. Citizens of Kosovo are no exception. I feel compassion for all who are suffering and for their relatives. To reap success in the fight against pandemic is essential to being responsible, protecting one another, and following the authorities' recommendations.

The EU has already granted Kosovo 168m euros to address the health and socio-economic aspects of COVID-19. My predecessor, Ambassador Apostolova, has done a great job in this regard. I want to assure you that this case will remain my top priority.

In addition to assistance to COVIED-19, I will continue to promote the already established and long-term EU priorities: better education for all, more judicial security, support for economic growth and improved investment climate. It is essential that citizens trust the institutions and know that their progress in life is the result of their work and merits. I will continue calling for an effective fight against corruption and organised crime.

Strengthening and improving the election process should also be taken as priority.

Kosovo should also focus more its efforts on environmental issues. The EU is investing 76m euros to reduce pollution and health risks from the Kosova B thermal power plant. Green recovery presents an opportunity for Kosovo's future development.

A stronger implementation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (MSA), which Kosovo has signed with the EU, is in our mutual interest. I am convinced that the more the SAA applies, the more the lives of citizens will improve: the standard of living will increase and corruption decrease. SAA implementation is Kosovo's big chance for progress.

Kosovo also needs better social services, more gender equality, less domestic violence, stronger civil society, more independent media, investment in culture, and more support and co-operation for different communities and needy citizens.

Over the past 20 years, the EU has invested over 2.5 billion euros in every segment of Kosovo society. In 2014-2019 alone, the EU helped Kosovo with 470m euros, supporting rule of law, fundamental rights, environment, energy, education, employment, competition, NVMs, innovation, agriculture, democracy and governance.

The EU is the investor, donor and Kosovo's best trade partner. We've created thousands of jobs, supported hundreds of companies and built many schools. Thanks to EU funds, Pristina today has an endless supply of drinking water, and tens of thousands of citizens enjoy the first grade's central heating.

I want Kosovo citizens to be able to travel without visas as soon as possible. The European Commission and the European Parliament have said that Kosovo has met all conditions and have recommended abolishing visas for Kosovo. The final decision must now be made by the EU member states.

The renewal of the EU Special Representative's mandate that I am receiving shows the commitment of the EU member states to Kosovo, since the EU Special Representative has the overall role of EU political co-ordination in Kosovo.

I am encouraged by the fact that dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade has been reopened and that the EU has appointed Miroslav Lajčak as EU Special Representative for Dialogue. The sooner the normalisation of relations occurs, the sooner Kosovo will be able to move forward.

EU and Kosovo member states will always be united. The EU will remain Kosovo's biggest supporter in these difficult periods and beyond. I will do my best to help Kosovo move forward in different aspects of life that are important to citizens. For that, I ask for your support and help.

Grateful for the opportunity,

Tomákh Szunyog