Visas removed, Kurti hopes on the Czech chairmanship

The people of Kosovo have high expectations from the Czech Republic and its leadership to close the long-standing visa liberalisation issue and to end the isolation of Kosovo citizens in continental Europe, said Republic of Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, in the pending event of taking over the presidency of the European Union from the Czech Republic.

” The people of Kosovo have high expectations from the Czech Republic and its leadership to close the long-standing visa liberalisation issue and end the isolation of Kosovo citizens in continental Europe”, Kurti has said.

He stressed that Kosovo, as the only potential candidate for the European Union that has not yet applied for EU membership, also looks forward to working together closely in the next six months as it prepares its EU membership application.

The prime minister argued that Kosovo is a regional leader in a set of international rankings for rule of law and human rights, including Transparency International's Global Press Freedom Index, V - DEM and the World Justice Index. The RCC recently published the Balkan Barometer, which showed that Kosovo citizens had the best expectations for their future (49%). Prime Minister Kurti said such expectations of our citizens should comply with the European Union's positive response.

This presidency has a challenging and ambitious agenda, including support for Ukraine, energy security, cyber security and defence, economic sustainability and protection of our common democratic values, Prime Minister Kurti said.

Prime Minister Kurti's Complete Word:

Your Honor, President Vjosa Osmani,

Honored Workman, Mr. Pavel Bílek,

Honored EU Office Chief in Kosovo Ambassador Tomákh Szunyog,

Honored government ministers, deputies of the Parliament,

Dear former Presidents Sejdiu and Jahjaga,

Dear guests,

Thank you for this waiting for the opening case of the Czech Presidency. The next six months come at a crucial time for our continent. Our common values that we have fought hard to achieve: individual freedom and freedoms, human rights, democracy and rule of law are all at risk of unprotested and unwarranted Russian aggression in Ukraine. That is why we have collectively responded by imposing sanctions against the Russian Federation and showing solidarity and support for Ukraine and its people. Kosovo is listed with EU sanctions and EU policy against the Russian Federation. And we have shown solidarity with the Ukrainian people by providing housing for refugees, humanitarian aid and by providing housing and working conditions for Ukrainian journalists.

Together, we have to make sure that our actions, including our sanctions and our support for Ukraine, send a clear message to the Russian Federation that they cannot and will not achieve the security, prosperity or status they seek in the world through brutal force, nor will they be allowed to dictate everyone's future.

It has already been passed on to you to lead the European Union, and to a large extent Europe, in the next six months. But a country that has known war and peace, that has witnessed the rise and fall of empires and that has begun the Cediff Revolution without a shot, I know very well what is at stake and what is required.

The presidency has a challenging and ambitious agenda, including support for Ukraine, energy security, cyber security and defence, economic sustainability and the protection of our common democratic values.

These subjects require a new spirit of unity and hard work and perseverance.

The Western Balkans are surrounded by the EU, as I am today surrounded by you. We share not only common boundaries but also common history, values and common future.

The new reality after 24 February of this year is also a new opportunity for the European Union to lead with a sense of urgency in ensuring peace in the Western Balkans by accelerating reforms and fulfilling its promises.

The people of Kosovo have high expectations from the Czech Republic and its leadership to close the long-standing visa liberalisation issue and end the isolation of Kosovo citizens in continental Europe.

As the only potential candidate for the EU that has not yet applied for EU membership, we also look forward to working together closely in the next six months, as we prepare our application for EU membership.

Kosovo is a regional leader in a set of international rankings for rule of law and human rights, including Transparency International's Global Press Freedom Index, V - DEM and the World Justice Index. The RCC recently published the Balkan Barometer, which showed that Kosovo citizens had the best expectations for their future (49%). Such expectations of our citizens must comply with the EU's positive response.

Now is the time for more European Union, no less. It is also time to understand that Europe's security cannot be cut off from the security of the Western Balkans. Something the Czech Republic understands. Therefore, I am sure that under this presidency, the European Union will put the Western Balkans at the centre of their attention in the next six months.

I am concluding this word, recalling the words of Vaclav Havel, one of the greatest Europeans of our era, said before the European Parliament in Strasbourg:

The idea of two Europes living side by side, the idea of a democratic, stable, prosperous path of integration, and a less democratic, less stable and less prosperous Europe is, in my opinion, completely insulate. Sounds like the idea of a stable coexistence in a half-small and half-smooth room. Despite its differences, Europe is inseparable and everything serious that happens to it will have consequences for the rest of the continent. ”

Thank you!