Kurti after meeting with Michel: Hoping in his support for KiE visas and membership

Kurti at this meeting has said he hopes that with the role Michel has as the co-ordinator of EU Council summits to support visa liberalisation for Kosovo, the newspaper Express reports.

“Recognising the important role President Michel has in co-ordinating the conclusions of the European Council summits, the prime minister voiced hope for visa liberalisation for citizens of the Republic of Kosovo, as well as for Kosovo's membership in the Council of Europe”, the ZKM communiqué said.

Kurti has also announced the president of the EU Council of Kosovo's intention to apply for EU candidate status. “Prime Minister Kurti highlighted the people of Kosovo's powerful will and conviction for the European future and the European Union and announced President Michel for application for candidate country status, which is scheduled to take place by the end of the year. He said the Government of the Republic of Kosovo is engaged and is committed.

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The prime minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, met with European Council President Charles Michel, who first visited Kosovo on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Kurti welcomed President Michel for all the support the European Union has given for the reconstruction and development of Kosovo. This support has turned Kosovo into a narrative of success and hope, as leaders in the democratic index of the Western Balkans, Prime Minister Kurti said.

He commended Mr. Michel for re-election to his second term in the position of European Council President and wished them success in these very important and challenging times for all.

They argued about the achievements and challenges in more than a year of governance, and Prime Minister Kurti said institutional stability and democratic governance has influenced the establishment of 17 Kosovo positions in Transparency International's 2021 index and the 17 countries in the <x0Word Press Freedom<1> index for freedom of expression and media. Meanwhile, in terms of rule of law, it has been ranked first among the countries of the Western Balkans in the 2021 index of “World Justice Project”, and it is the only country in the region that has marked improvement in Fredoom House's report.

This stability has also led to increased economic indicators, the prime minister said, and cited economic growth of 10.53 percent, increased exports by over 83 percent, and foreign direct investment by 22 percent. In addition, 30 percent of tax revenues, customs revenues for 31 percent have increased while economics have increased by 25,000 jobs.

Prime Minister Kurti stressed the strong will and conviction of the people of Kosovo for the European future and the European Union, and announced President Michel for the application for candidate country status, which is scheduled to take place by the end of the year. He said the Government of the Republic of Kosovo is engaged and committed to implementing the Stabilisation and Association Agreement.

Recognising the important role President Michel has in co-ordinating the conclusions of the European Council summits, the prime minister voiced hope for visa liberalisation for citizens of the Republic of Kosovo, as well as for Kosovo's membership in the Council of Europe.

Prime Minister Kurti confirmed the commitment to regional co-operation, which is based on mutual recognition of documents and that with independent mechanisms can be a step towards the common market within the European Union and in line with membership in the European Union. In Kosovo it has proved that democratic governance and economic development go together and that both are essential for lasting peace and for social progress and well-being, he added.

Regarding dialogue with Serbia in Brussels, Prime Minister Kurti stressed Kosovo's constructive approach to reaching a legally binding agreement, which at the centre has mutual recognition.

European Council President Charles Michel said that the Western Balkans is very important for the EU and that there the resolution of reports between Kosovo and Serbia is especially important.