Austrian Eurodeput: Wrong idea setting measures on Kosovo

Austrian Eurodeput, Lucas Mandl, has said that imposing punitive measures against Kosovo has been wrong and that there must be efforts to exceed them.

According to him, the same are blocking many developments within Kosovo in the field of education of economy and health. Also, Mandl said that intermediation of Kosovo- Serbia from the European Union must be better and will commit to that.

There are many issues on the table at the same time. There are internal issues in Kosovo where we should try to overcome so-called measures by the European Union, which are really blocking many developments within Kosovo in the field of education, in the field of the economy, in the field of health. I want these measures to be overcome in the first place that I've criticised a lot since the first moment. It is the wrong idea to impose measures against Kosovo on the part of the EU. Second, it is up to partners within the dialogue to discuss it properly and achieve results, but EU modemation can be better and should be better and, of course, as soon as possible, should become better. I will work parliamentaryly on recommendations for the European Commission to establish better modemation for this” process, he said.

In addition, Mandl underlined that Kosovo must engage more in strengthening partnerships with international friends and partners.

“I think that any political party in Kosovo, regardless of the position or opposition, every person dedicated to democracy, rule of law, human dignity, freedom, for Kosovo and in the name of Kosovo, and in the interest of the people of Kosovo, should strengthen ties with all of Kosovo's friends and partners worldwide. The positive thing about Kosovo is that there are many friends and partners worldwide. To strengthen relationships does not just communicate, it does not only mean being responsible, but also means being reliable in any process... I will continue to recommend every power, political power or civil society and all other powers within Kosovo to strengthen ties with partners, especially in Europe, but worldwide”, Mandl added.

Meanwhile, he highlighted his commitment as an MP to the European Parliament in demanding the European Commission for policy change in the Western Balkans.

“If the European Parliament speaks on behalf of the people of Europe, and this is sometimes reviewing it, even criticising the European Commission for its policies in the Western Balkans. Of course, the European Union needs structural reform in the first place for future visions and to achieve its visions of the future. Second, of course it must be reliable when the European Commission promises something to any European state, whether it is the Western Balkans or the Eastern Partnership, its promise must be fulfilled. In the past, many people in Western markets, especially in Kosovo, had the impression that promises would not be fulfilled and thus not the way the EU should behave. That is why the European Parliament tries to strengthen ties with each part of Europe, especially with Kosovo by asking the European Commission to keep its promises properly”, Mandl stressed.

These Austrian Eurodeput comments made before reporters after participating Monday at the “Parliamentary Diplomacy for Regional Security and Euro-Atlantic Integration” conference. /Kosovo pres/