Konjufca in Greece: Kosovo recognition, strategic investment for future

He said the unprovocational Russian invasion of Ukraine has the potential to exacerbate existing tensions in our region, so he said it should be maintained faithful to European values.

“With a steadfast partnership with NATO and the US, we can protect our region from serious destabilising threats that may be aimed at causing substantial changes in the international order”.

Konjufca in the speaker said the region could solve all problems by advancing in the EU membership process and in regional co-operation between itself.

The support of all, preceded by Kosovo's recognition, should be seen as a strategic investment for the future, as a necessary step for preserving peace and stability, but also for our joint development”.

We therefore want to invite you and your government to support Kosovo's visa liberalisation efforts, membership in the Council of Europe, EU candidate status, NATO membership and membership in other international mechanisms”.

Konjufca added that Ukraine's unprohibited invasion of Russia, except that it is devastating to the Ukrainian people and has high costs for people, economies and relations, is also directly affecting regional security, including energy and agro food supply.

The “Precisely now that our region's economies were enlivening, the war in Ukraine rocked the entire region, mainly through higher energy and food prices, but also through the disruption of trade and investment flows. Let us not forget that increasing the prices of energy and food are expected to greatly exacerbate low-income families, who are now spending a much larger portion of their income on basic needs such as food and heating.

To navigate through these challenges, Conjufca says, it must work together.

“We must fully harmonise our foreign policies with the European Union and the United States, including sanctions, and we should be determined with our goals”.

Konjufca also spoke of the contribution given to Ukraine following the launch of Russian aggression.

The Republic of Kosovo has been an ally and partner of the EU and the United States. Last year Kosovo sheltered more than 1,300 Afghans evacuated, showing solidarity with refugees and Kosovo's long-term commitment to NATO. Moreover, Kosovo's alignment with EU foreign policy in sanctions against Russia and its readiness to accommodate 5,000 Ukrainian refugees and to provide living conditions and working for 20 journalists is once again a sign of the alignment of foreign policy and dedication to EU integration, standards and values”.

Kosovo's chief parliament also unveiled Kosovo's ambitions to become a member of the European Union.

The future of the Western Balkan region is in the EU and we seek to become members of the European Union, so we prefer to follow a clear path and move forward. However, Kosovo is facing another challenge. We are the only country in the region where our citizens still need visas to travel to Europe. Since 2018, the European Commission has repeatedly confirmed that Kosovo has met all criteria to travel without visas, and the European Parliament has twice called for visa liberalisation through resolutions adopted by the overwhelming majority. Even after all these years we've met all the requirements, we still don't see the light at the end of the” tunnel.