Minister Hoxha requires more intensive work for integration process

Prishtina, 20 February 2018 – Minister of European Integration, Dhurata Hoxha, participated in the Conference “New moment for EU enlargement: What Kosovo can benefit?” attended by representatives of European Union Office, ambassadors and experts of European integration. During her speech, minister stated the indisputable European perspective of Kosovo, by building institutions, democratic state and stable economy.

“The first challenge was the establishment of institutions, whereas the ongoing challenge is their reform and strengthening. The Declaration of Independence brought a new dynamism and other challenges”, stated Minister Hoxha, highlighting the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with EU.

Minister considers EU Enlargement Strategy as quite positive and a milestone for the future of all Western Balkans, and in particular Kosovo.

“Reforms requested from Kosovo are substantial and affect the most important sectors. I consider that one of the benefits is the fact that EU made clear the fields to be focused on and sectors to be reformed and strengthened”, stated Minister.

In this regard, as Minister stated, Kosovo needs to be focused on strengthening the rule of law, security and migration, social and economic development, as well as relations with neighbour countries. All areas, in which Strategy of European Commission requires focus and progress, as Minister Hoxha mentioned, are necessary for Kosovo. The fact that these areas have been expressly mentioned should mobilise Kosovo institutions for more intensive works for reforms, as well as the commitment that EU will help countries of Western Balkans in implementing required reforms and strengthening determined sectors.

This Strategy states that EU will not import problems, which is a message for Serbia that the dialogue should continue with concrete results and it cannot join EU without solving the problem with Kosovo, as highlighted Minister, and that Serbia should understand that dialogue will be concluded only with an agreement acceptable for both parties.

“All tasks we need to perform have been stipulated in SAA, European Reform Agenda and Economic Reform Programme. We should only implement these and the sooner we do this, the sooner, the faster we will move forward towards EU membership”, stated Minister Hoxha, pointing out that this is the only way we can serve our citizens and only in this way we will become part of EU, where we belong.

Last modified: August 9, 2022