Minister Çitaku hosted a meeting with a delegation of European Commission Enlargement Directorate

During the meeting it was discussed about Kosovo’s progress in the context of meeting short term criteria for the beginning of negotiations for Stabilization and Association Agreement. In October 2012, the European Commission published Feasibility Study on the Stabilization and Association Agreement between European Union and Kosovo. Study confirmed that Kosovo “… is mainly ready to begin negotiations on Stabilization and Association Agreement.” Nevertheless, Study has identified 4 priorities within which Kosovo is required to make progress: rule of law, public administration, protection of minorities and trade.

Minister Çitaku informed European Commission delegation on the progress within priorities, noting that at the present almost all criteria are met. Minister Çitaku also underlined the commitment of the Government to initiate and complete negotiations on Stabilization and Association Agreement and that it remains now on the working dynamics of the European Union institutions to give as soon as possible negotiating mandate to the European Commission.

On the other hand, Deputy Director Korte emphasized that they are convinced that according to the dynamics of criteria fulfilment based on the information received by the EU office in Prishtina and Kosovo institutions all criteria will be met within the envisaged timeline and that Commission will be ready to give recommendation for the beginning of negotiations.