Intensification of the european agenda: visa liberalization and SAA

During these meetings Minister Çitaku and Minister Rexhepi informed Commissioner Malmström on the achieved progress in all blocks of visa liberalization where with particular emphasis has been introduced implementation of up to date recommendations and plans for the upcoming weeks and months. Minister Çitaku informed Mrs. Malmström on the seriousness with which the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo are addressing the Roadmap criteria and the recent recommendations which were published in visa liberalization report on February 12, 2013.  ”

“Kosovo has continued to record continuous achievements in the key areas of visa liberalization process, there is no single criteria set from the European Commission for Kosovo, in the roadmap and subsequent reports that is not being handled diligently and with great commitment by all involved stakeholders” said Minister Çitaku and also requested from the European Commission to continue with support and appraisal of the up to date achievements. Minister Çitaku at the end promised to Commissioner Malmström that” By the June of this year will be completed work on legal package related to the process of liberalization and strict implementation of the existing legislation and provided actions.”

Subsequently in the course of meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Kusari – Lila and Minister Çitaku had a meeting with the Commissioner for Trade Mr. Karel De Gucht. During this process they informed Commissioner De Gucht on the recent developments in Kosovo and the progress achieved in the field of European integration.

Minister Çitaku said : ” Kosovo has met all short term criteria of the Feasibility Study for the beginning of the SAA and without losing any time the focus of the Government of Kosovo will be on the meeting of the mid-term criteria of the Feasibility Study in order to conclude as soon as possible the agreement negotiation process. “In addition, Deputy Prime Minister Mimoza Kusari-Lila conveyed to the Commissioner KDG that : “We have approved negotiating structures for the Stabilization Association Agreement , we reformed the ministry of trade and industry and we are fully committed to start trade negotiations prepared at maximum.”

During the next day, Minister Çitaku will met in two separate meetings representatives of the EU member states within the EU working group for Western Balkans (COWEB), and European parliament members of the working group for Western Balkans. At the end of the next day Minister Çitaku and Deputy Prime Minister Kusari – Lila will meet Mr.Stefan Füle, Commissioner for Enlargement.