Minister Hoxha: Our integration path is unstoppable

The Minister of European Integration attended and gave a speech at the Roundtable organized by the Group for Legal Political Studies, whereby the EU representative for Kosovo Mrs. Apostolova was present among other participants such as diplomats and experts of European integration.

Minister Hoxha expressed the commitment to advance the European integration process, whose dynamics, as she considers, should be accelerated.

“The entry into force of the Stabilization and Association Agreement through which Kosovo for the first time entered into contractual relations with the EU, in addition to being a success, should also be an incentive for successful implementation so that we can continue our path towards the European Union”, emphasized Minister Hoxha.

The implementation of the SAA is our most important priority stated the Minister.

“The implementation of the SAA requires approximation of legislation with EU standards as well as full implementation of legislation in practice. This will require political will, administrative capacities and sustainable funding,” emphasised Minister Hoxha.

The Ministry of European Integration commenced the review of the National Plan for Implementation of the SAA, which is a regular annual policy planning process for the implementation of the SAA” stated the Minister.

“The purpose of the review is to update this program and draft short-term measures that will be implemented during 2018. In order to monitor the implementation of the SAA, the first meeting of the Committee in Brussels will take place in October, and the second meeting of the Council will be held in November”, noted Minister Hoxha.

With the purpose of prioritizing the reforms laying ahead, the Government of the Republic of Kosovo and the European Union have launched the European Reform Agenda, or shortly ERA, said Minister Hoxha.

“ERA foresees the implementation of 22 concrete priorities from a range of institutions. I will take all necessary measures to ensure that all institutions, particularly the Ministries are aware of their priorities, and also to provide MEI’s support in this process”, said Minister Hoxha.

The SAA is a contract that we have concluded with the European Union –noted the Minister, and upon concluding this contractual relation, we have pledged to fulfil the required criteria and implement this agreement. All 35 Chapters of the SAA are clear with regard to criteria to be met- stated the Minister.

Minister Hoxha stated that reforms should serve to the implementation of the SAA as the only document that should be the basis for the reforms. All chapters of the SAA can be implemented by undertaking deep reforms in respective sectors.

“I consider that priority should be given to reforms in the area of rule of law, alignment of legislation with that of the EU, implementation of legislation, improving the doing business environment, protection of competition, advancing education and employment policies as well as regional cooperation” said Minister Hoxha.

Minister Hoxha expressed the commitment and seriousness given to the implementation of the SAA, as the path and future of Kosovo towards the EU will depend on its implementation. The Minister also emphasized that the civil society will be part of the process.

Last modified: August 10, 2022