Minister Hoxha seeks in Vienna a more proactive approach towards the Western Balkans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vienna, 21 February 2019 – Minister of European Integration, Dhurata Hoxha, attended the Ministerial Conference on European Affairs in Vienna, attended by the Ministers of Western Balkans and chaired by Austrian Minister Gernot Blümel.

Part of the panel was Minister Hoxha who, during her speech, noted the importance of political and economic cooperation for the region that has great opportunities.

The Republic of Kosovo needs immediate support from the EU to make further progress in our long-term negotiations with Serbia, for a more peaceful, prosperous and democratic Balkans, said Minister Hoxha, adding that Kosovo citizens are the most pro-EU in Europe, while being the only country with a visa regime, considering liberalization as a key issue for Kosovo.

When it comes to EU funds under IPA 3 covering the period 2021-2027, it requires special attention to withstand the competitive approach, said Minister Hoxha, while emphasizing the commitment to the path of European integration and to the empowerment of the modern state based on European norms and standards.

During the second panel of the Ministerial Conference on European Affairs held in Vienna, Minister Hoxha noted that the most important part where the EU should focus its foreign policy, until 2025 and even later, is the enlargement process.

“EU Enlargement Policy should be seen as a mechanism to make the EU family more complete and lasting. I strongly believe in the European perspective of our countries and look forward to seeing this dynamic, concrete and achievable perspective reaffirmed”, said Minister Hoxha.

It is clear that the EU has its own accession rules and the Western Balkan countries have still a lot of work to do with crucial reforms affecting the most important sectors. However, the EU should be able to assess achievements and make decisions accordingly, avoiding uncertainty in the region.

Minister Hoxha said that there is a need for new ways to address the political and security problems in the Western Balkans through a proactive, rapid and decisive approach, by not transferring them from one decade to another and by providing adequate responses to new threats.

Last modified: August 5, 2022