Kurt waits at Eurodeput meeting, cares about action in the north

Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Mr. Albin Kurti, together with Deputy Prime Minister for European Integrations, Development and Dialogue Besnik Bislimi, hosted a European Parliament delegation led by the representative for Kosovo in parliament, Violet von Cremon.

Prime Minister Kurti thanked Europarliamentaries for the commitment to recognising Kosovo's independence even to the five non-recognising countries, for supporting and voting for visa liberalisation, and for supporting vaccines through COVAX.

The prime minister also expressed gratitude for the visit and for the willingness to monitor closely the election process for municipalities held tomorrow, October 17th.

Parliamentary elections have brought institutional stability and democratic legitimacy that has resulted from increased trust in institutions and, as a result, other positive developments such as economic growth, increased revenues and investments, clear indications of positive effects of democratic changes resulting from the February 14th elections, the prime minister said.

He expressed confidence that even local elections will be held tomorrow peacefully and with the greatest participation of citizens.

Europeans were interested in the Kosovo Police operation of October 13th, and the prime minister explained it was an operation against smuggling and criminality and included 26 different locations throughout the territory, 5 of them in northern Mitrovica.

This was a normal police operation, which has conducted the work professionally and according to legal procedures, he said.

Regarding the eurodeputs' interest in talks with Serbia, the prime minister said they have no alternative, but must be understood that even recognition of Kosovo's independence from Serbia has no alternative.

In the dialogue in Brussels, we are for a new chapter of normalisation of relations between our two states, where we resolve outstanding issues with mutual recognition, he said.
While, Deputy Prime Minister Bislimi talked about the prosperity of negotiations on the interim solution to the license plates and expectations of finding permanent solution.

European Parliament representative Violet von Cremon thanked Kosovo's institutions for the accession and assistance offered to Afghan refugees, as well as commended them for reforms initiated in justice, commitment to fighting organised crime and corruption, and for maintaining institutional stability.

Prime Minister Kurti called on MEPs to be more vocal in support of democracy, rule of law and freedom of media and thought in the Western Balkans, and reiterated that there should be no EU funds without accepting EU values.

Part of the delegation were Europarliamen Mrs. Rosa Thund und Hohestein (EPP), Mrs. Evin Incir (SD), Mr. Thijs Reuten (SD), Mr. Javier Nart ( RENEW Europe, Mrs. Michelle Rivas (Grens/ EFA, Mr. Timo Knaute, representative of the European Parliament Secretariat, Mr. Francesco Ronchi, Mr. Rafflele Louise, Mrs. Michelle Rivas, political advisers Mr. Blagoy Klimov, Mr. Jörgen Sil, Mr. Simon Schelde Christensen, Mrs. Gesa Storz.