Integration of Serbian education and health into the Kosovo system, Kurti vows to operate “close co-ordination” with Sorensen

Prime Minister Albin Kurti cited the issue of the integration of the health system and education into Kosovo's legal framework after yesterday's meeting with EU envoy for dialogue Peter Sorensen, whom he hosted in Pristina.

He said the “government of the Republic of Kosovo has underlined the importance of full information on the education and health system in Serb majority municipalities within the legal framework of the Republic of Kosovo”.

This legalisation in practice will be translated not only in full law enforcement throughout the Republic of Kosovo, but also in more qualities of these services, more financing, more presence, and all that means more security for citizens who consume the same services. So the ultimate goal of incorporation is not to reduce whatever is right, but to empower them. Consequently, no citizen of the Republic of Kosovo has the slightest reason to fear this incorporation, but to enjoy benefits which will result from this” process, Kurti added.

The prime minister pledged that this would be done “in close co-ordination” with the EU envoy, but also with local Serbs.

Of course, it's clear to us that the whole legalisation process takes time. I also underline that the whole process will be done in close co-ordination with the European Union Special Representative for Dialogue, but also in co-ordination and ongoing consultation with local Serbs. For us it is important that during legalisation, citizens of the Serb community believe in the benefits of the process, as well as obligations stemming from agreements reached in the Brussels dialogue and the legal framework of the Republic of Kosovo”, he said.

After Kurti enabled facilities as residence permits and recognition of documents issued by Serbian illegal structures, Sorensen said they take into account his commitment to implement these laws, “allowing the non-stopting of these services within the Kosovo legal framework” simultaneously.

“Any process affecting these institutions takes time, should be comprehensive and confirmed within the framework of all relevant agreements reached within the EU facilitated dialogue and other EU and regional agreements”, he said at the joint media conference after the meeting.

Sorensen said they have insisted that there be “consulations structured throughout the process with representatives of the Kosovo Serb community seeking their support”.

This process should be carried out in close co-operation with me as EU Special Representative for Dialogue”, he stressed.