EU Ambassador after his mandate expired: Kosovo's European future is in your hands

The European Union's Ambassador to Kosovo, Thomas Szunyog, organised a farewell meeting with representatives of Kosovo institutions, in the case of completing his term of about four years.

Among the most important events for the state of Kosovo, during the time Szunyog exercised office as ambassador, it cited visa liberalisation.

He said he was relieved after that, for what he said he felt as a burden for years that he remained in Kosovo.

In farewell speech, Szunyog points out that tourist travel to the European Union is only part of the many other benefits the EU offers.

Another thing that kept me alert were continuing questions about visa liberalisation. This, my dear friends and partners, felt like a real burden, especially every time I sat down with students and young people to talk about Kosovo's European future. So I'm relieved and grateful that we finally crossed that bridge. Kosovo passport holders can now travel visa-free to the Schengen area”.

And that's it, that's just the tip of the iceberg. Tourist tours to the European Union are only one part of the many other benefits the EU offers. There is membership and one that is a strategic choice. But it is not enough to put it out loud or to measure the public pulse of the population. You need to live every day the values of the EU, bring them to the corridors of your institutions and illustrate them on your streets...”.

“How many times have you heard me or my predecessors calling for Kosovo's progress towards the EU, because Kosovo's future is in the EU? You have not only heard us repeat it over and over again, but the EU has also contributed financial assistance to move on with that ambition”, Szunyog said.

Perhaps you think it's us who are not treating you fairly, that we are slow and bureaucratic. Maybe you can find others to point your finger. However, none of this should be an excuse. Your European future is in your hands and we are here to encourage you to succeed”.

But this, dear friends and partners, is only yours to achieve. There is nothing that prevents Kosovo from living the EU's dream every day. Nothing prevents you from making the changes and elections necessary for a European Kosovo. Some of these choices may be difficult or unpleasant, but they must be made. So I am convinced that when I return for a visit, I will see more from the EU right here in Kosovo”, Szunyog said.