Minister Hoxha asks for national consensus for European Integration

Prishtina, 2 February 2018 –< Minister of European Integration, Dhurata Hoxha, has been invited today from the Parliamentary Committee for European Integration, where they discussed about the Enlargement Strategy of European Union for Western Balkans. This Committee is lead by Blerta Deliu, Member of Parliament.

 

Minister Hoxha stated that Strategy for Western Balkans of European Commission has been warned within the “Goals Statement” promoted following the presentation of the President of European Commission, Mr. Jean Claude Juncker, in his annual speech before the European Parliament in September 2017.

 

No draft of this strategy has been formally to any of the regional countries, stated Minister; therefore, as she stated, it is early to comment on its content until its publication next week.

 

“In the framework of regular exchanges with EU institutions and Member States, we presented our positions. In this regard, allow me to provide these positions. Kosovo integration process marked a progress in the last years. We ensured Stabilisation and Association Agreement, we are close to visa liberalization, we ensured access to EU Programmes and now we are the largest beneficiaries per capita of EU assistance”, stated Minister Hoxha.

 

We expect that the Strategy will recognized the achieved progress and confirm the advancement of Kosovo integration process in European Union, stated Minister before the Parliamentary Committee, adding that we are fully aware for objective restrictions, namely non-recognition by 5 EU Member States, but at the same time we are convinced that if we ensure the fulfillment of home works by rigorously implementing SAA, European Union will find the ways to further advance the Kosovo integration process.

 

Minister Hoxha asked from members of parliament to issue a joint Resolution from the Assembly, with the consensus of all political parties to express the commitment to advance integration processes, because European integration has no alternative. There should be reforms in justice, economy and public administration and Kosovo institutions, stated Minister Hoxha, should have one voice and common position – policy and laws priority for SAA and ERA as inter-institutional consensus. Minister also stated that several of issues where tangible results are expected are in the field of judiciary, economic growth and better education, as duties to be provided with arguments.

 

“It should not be forgotten that the first priority of our institutions should be the implementation of comprehensive reforms foreseen in SAA. Only convincing results and progress within the normalization of relations with Serbia will bring our institutions in position where they may request more from EU. At the moment, the ball is in our court to complete home works, if I am allowed to state in this way”, stated Minister.

 

At the end of her speech, Minister of European Integration stated that Ministry of Integration submits on monthly basis a report to the Committee for European Integration, but yesterday we submitted to you the summarized annual report for 2017. Following the introductory speech, Minister Hoxha, responded to the questions of members of Committee for European Integration.

 

Last modified: August 9, 2022