EU seeks urgent formation of government in Kosovo to advance European integration

EU Ambassador to Kosovo Aivo Ora said it is essential for the European Union to have a partner with whom it can be discussed concrete steps towards integration, stressing the urgent need for forming new government

He added that Kosovo has real opportunities to get closer to the EU, but stressed that comparisons with neighbouring countries do not help in this direction.

You can do things and move your country towards the European Union. And I mean that arguments that a neighbouring country is doing even worse do not draw Kosovo closer to the European Union. Now, what we expect very much from Kosovo is, first of all, to have a partner. Yes, we have a partner, President, but we also need executive power. So we need a partner to talk to about future steps, how to move closer to the European Union. We very much hope that the government will be formed as soon as possible”, he said.

He recalled that the EU's position on developments in the north is clear and that the removal of measures towards Kosovo has begun, but that close co-operation is needed to move forward.

“The closure of institutions in the north. Again, the European Union has made its position clear private, official and public. The measures towards Kosovo. EU High Representative Kayakalas was here just days ago, and she announced that the gradual removal of measures against Kosovo has begun. But to move forward, we clearly need very good and close co-operation with the authorities here”, he said.

Orav also spoke on the issue of the Serb majority municipalities' Association, stressing that this is a topic that should be dealt with seriously and without delay.

“A topic everyone talks about, but it's not that popular to be mentioned by politicians here in Kosovo, is the Association of Serb majority municipalities. But the EU's position is again clear: it has to be done. It has to be, and it's better to be done earlier than later, to move on. My message is that we in the EU are willing to move forward and very much hope that Kosovo will do the same”, he said.

The Netherlands' Ambassador to Kosovo, Karin Boven, backed the call for the immediate formation of the government, stressing that without functional executive power, commitment to integration cannot be concreteised.

She also spoke of positive news that brought the recent visit of High Representative Kallas and stressed the need for concrete action from Kosovo.

“What is now essential is to prove commitment and make sure that a new government is formed, so that the determination for EU integration takes shape through concrete results”.

“High Representative Kallas, already mentioned last week, brought good news about the beginning of the gradual removal of EU measures, as required by all Kosovo institutions and political parties. And as the EU, we now need to see actions that contribute further to the alignment with European values and standards”.

“Kosovo has no time to waste. At this point, as I already mentioned, the top priority is forming the government and the immediate beginning of its” work, she said.

The Dutch ambassador praised the progress made by Kosovo over the years, but stressed that the pace of reforms is crucial to the success of integration.

“I also want to seize this opportunity to recognise the fact that, yes, over the years Kosovo has made progress in its approach to European values and standards from institution building to advancing democratic practices. But the pace of progress is determined by the pace of reforms. A central pillar of these reforms is rule of law. A European Kosovo seeks a justice system that is independent, efficient and trusted by all its citizens. Fighting corruption, transparency and accountability should become standards”, she said.