Hoti also engages in debate for NATO, urges accelerated membership

Former Kosovo Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti is involved in the country's debate on accelerated NATO membership, now following the outbreak of war in Ukraine, writes Periscopi newspaper.

Hoti has burdened five reasons why Kosovo should and is willing to join this organisation.

Hoti has even said that Kosovo is ready for membership in the European Union as it credits former Government Mustafa.

Here you have his full status:

“Kosovo in NATO, EU with accelerated procedures

1. The situation in Ukraine testifies to the urgency of Kosovo's NATO and EU membership. Members of NATO and the EU that have not yet recognised Kosovo must change their stance based on the situation created, as well as the opinion of the International Court of Justice. There is no room for political attitudes that create ambition and leave open doors for instability.
2. In 23 years of efforts to build state institutions, including 14 years as an independent state, Kosovo has proved to be a stable democracy, embracing and promoting Western values. Kosovo has reached an institutional development stage to prove that in its capacities, not only is it not a political or financial burden for NATO and the EU, but it contributes to regional stability and development.
3. Kosovo is ready for NATO membership as Kosovo's military capacities are built under the supervision of NATO partners in a process that has been historic.

(i) In the summer of 1999, Kosovo's visionary men and women knew what they were doing when they agreed with NATO to transform the KLA into KPC.

(i) After several years of capacity building, the KPC's advance in KSF was made.

(ii) And in 2018, with the package of laws for the army and a 10-year transformation plan in Haradinaj Government, the advance of KSF in the military by NATO standards began.

(iv) These actions enabled Kosovo to send the KSF on peacekeeping missions alongside the US Army in December 2021.

4. Kosovo is ready for EU membership. The signing of SAA by Government Mustafa in 2015 and its implementation based on the SAA National Implementation Plan, the European Reforms Agency and the Economic Reform Programme established by Government Mustafa have enabled Kosovo to build the legal and institutional framework comparable to the countries that have advanced in EU integration. The argument that the EU has no absorption capacity is meaningless, because new members themselves expand EU absorption capacities.
5. Kosovo should take the initiative in the new created situation. The Assembly must urgently adopt a resolution, where:

(i) urged NATO and the EU to consider Kosovo's membership,

(i) The Government of Kosovo is obliged, in consultation with NATO, to review and cut deadlines for advancing KSF into the regular army ahead of the 10-year plan of 2018, including providing the financial support needed for this purpose; and

(ii) is required to the remaining EU nations to recognise Kosovo”, Hoti has written in his Facebook account. / P ERISCOPIA