7 hours agoEU urges Kosovo commitment to implement SAA
Periskopi(5 years ago)
(5 years ago)The European Union is calling for continued efforts by Kosovo to meet the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (MSA). On the 5th anniversary of the entry into force of this agreement, the EU expresses insistent on implementing reforms in Kosovo to continue its commitment towards the EU. A virtual table also highlights the lack of political will from the Kosovo side [...]
The European Union is calling for continued efforts by Kosovo to meet the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (MSA). On the 5th anniversary of the entry into force of this agreement, the EU expresses insistent on implementing reforms in Kosovo to continue its commitment towards the EU. A virtual table also highlights the Kosovo side's lack of political will for the current implementation of SAA reforms. Meanwhile, the challenge also presents the rule of law in Kosovo and dialogue with Serbia.
Deputy Prime Minister At once Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Minister Donika Grovalla said Kosovo will continue to carry out tasks in implementing SAA reforms.
Until he said their goal is to reach the point of applying for EU membership by the end of the government's mandate.
“Some of the tasks we should do ourselves, especially in the rule of law and have more responsibility in the justice system in fighting corruption and organised crime, and the second thing is advancing dialogue for normalising relations between Kosovo and Serbia ... The government's goal is to reach the point of becoming a country that requires EU membership. And we should also ask about visa liberalisation for Kosovo citizens and a positive movement will not only be important in itself, but it would be an important incentive to advance difficult political decisions on our integration path. I would like to say that the chapter of the political dialogue should be opened and we have done nothing in this respect, so I will ask that the next chapter of political dialogue be opened”, she said.
While, EU office chief in Kosovo Tomáš Szunyog said that success with the SAA draws Kosovo towards the European Union.
“Continued efforts are required for Kosovo to remain on the path to meeting the SAA agreement since the deadlines are approaching... Rule of law is the very essence of the SAA, which presents one of the main challenges for Kosovo and implies independence of the judiciary, fighting corruption and organised crime, and transparency in decision-making processes. It is important that Kosovo enable businesses infrastructure and protection from elements of corruption. The SAA also implies the pledge to normalise relations with Serbia. Therefore dialogue with Belgrade remains one of the most important processes in the region”, he said.
Implementation of reforms also called for Slovenia's ambassador to Kosovo, Bojan Bertonelj.
The European integration process is Kosovo's direct push. It is thus the sole basis of a united support for Kosovo's reforms in relation to the EU and its commitment towards the EU”, he said.
While, executive director of the institute E PIC, Demush Shasha said the political will in Kosovo has been missing to undertake SAA reforms.
“Over these five years, the main lesson was that a political will has been lacking to undertake SAA reforms. There was among the participants a consensus that if there had been a greater political will for SAA reforms, whether rule of law, whether it be economic or educational system, Kosovo would be in a more advanced country in terms of implementing the SAA”, he said.
