Minister Hoxha: The faster we perform our duties, the sooner we achieve integration

Prishtina, 6 February 2018 – Today was published the European Union enlargement strategy for Western Balkans, whereby the Minister of European Integration, Dhurata Hoxha, emphasised that “it is very positive that the European Union confirmed that Kosovo has its place in the EU, and its path is separated from Serbia in this process. The fact that EU addresses Kosovo membership in EU separately from Serbia, to me implies recognition of Kosovo’s statehood”.

In her social network account, Minister Hoxha called “for unification of all Kosovo institutions in the path toward EU, because we are a European nation and state, and have therefore no other alternative. I call for an inter-institutional consensus and a common standpoint between the Government, the Assembly and other state institutions, and a higher priority on the implementation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, and the reforms that we must complete”.

Find below the full post of Minister Hoxha posted in the social networks:

“I welcome the European Union’s enlargement strategy for Western Balkans countries, which also includes Kosovo. The EU has opened its door to us, however, it is us who must walk through that door. At this phase we have been awaiting for specific steps regarding our country’s integration process, but our path to the EU has no other alternative.

It is very positive that the European Union confirmed that Kosovo has its place in the EU, and its path is separated from Serbia in this process. The fact that the EU addresses Kosovo’s EU membership separately from Serbia, to me implies recognition of Kosovo’s statehood, despite the non-recognition by some of the EU Member States, and the resistance displayed by some countries against Kosovo’s inclusion in this strategy.

Moreover, it is very positive that the EU requires Kosovo and Serbia to reach a legal binding agreement as a precondition for their respective EU membership.

All of the duties that we must complete have been clearly determined in the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, European Reform Agenda, and the Economic Reform Program. All that remains is to implement them, and the faster we do that, the sooner we move toward EU membership.

I would avail of this opportunity, and call for unification of all Kosovo institutions in the path toward EU, because we are a European nation and state, and have no other alternative. I call for an inter-institutional consensus and a common standpoint between the Government, the Assembly and other state institutions, and a higher priority on the implementation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement and the reforms that we must complete.

Only by doing so, we will be serving our citizens, and become part of the EU, where we belong”

Last modified: August 9, 2022