October 28, beginning date for negotiations for a Stabilization and Association Agreement between Kosovo and the European Union

During the conference, minister Çitaku stated that: “Kosovo Government welcomes today’s publication of the Progress Report 2013 by the European Commission. Report represents the real and actual one-year development of the Republic of Kosovo by identifying the achievements and challenges of all state institutions. Progress Report reflects our achievements as institutions, but also reveals the upcoming challenges that await us which will be in our permanent focus. In this regard, until the end of this year, the Government will adopt the revised Action Plan for the Stabilization and Association Agreement with the aim of planning all concrete activities and timelines for addressing the recommendations of the Progress Report.”

Also, the minister continued stating that: “Kosovo Government is maximally committed to the fulfilment of its obligations within EU integration process. In this context, I would add that we have progressed in all the areas, but there are segments in which progress is greater, and there are areas in which there is still work to be done. We believe that the Progress Report during the upcoming twelve (12) months will serve as a basis for continued development of rational and constructive dialogue between the various actors in our society, and continuation of this society-wide consensus for undertaking deeper political, economic and social reforms.”

European Commission through the Report has assessed that the Government has demonstrated strong commitment to the European Integration process. The DG Enlargement Strategy has reconfirmed the European agenda of Kosovo by continuing its support for two key processes: SAA and Visa Liberalization Process.

Progress that has been identified within preparations for the start of this process represents one of the most valuable achievements of our country in the process of EU integration.

This conclusion is based also on the European Commission April report where were assessed the fulfilment of criteria which have enabled the opening of negotiations for the signing of the Stabilization Association Agreement.

In the report was also noted considerable progress in fulfilling the preconditions for starting a dialogue on visa liberalization, respectively in the field of document security and reintegration of repatriated persons.
The report has identified progress according to key fields such as: functioning of the Government and the Assembly, Public Administration, fundamental human rights, fighting organized crime, corruption, functioning of the judiciary and key economic indicators.

With the purpose of building a wide political and social consensus for undertaking structural reforms, the Institutions of the Republic of Kosovo have established the National Council for European Integration, and the Strategy for European Integration of the Republic of Kosovo into the European Union is drafted.

Find below full speech of Minister Çitaku at the press conference