Bislimi: We will implement EC recommendations

2024-10-30 20:38:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

The Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo, Besnik Bislimi, said that the Kosovo executive will implement the recommendations that emerge from the Progress Report of the European Commission, which was published on October 30.

After the Kosovo authorities accepted the report, Bislimi said in a press conference that this report shows that the Government of Kosovo has continued "with its ambitious reform agenda towards the European Union".

He said that the executive prioritizes the European integration agenda, despite the "unjust measures that are in force".

"We characterize them as unfair because, firstly, their removal has already been recommended and despite this recommendation, they still remain in force, and secondly, we consider them as contrary to the very principles and values ??of the European Union, thus harming perhaps the very credibility of the EU towards our citizens. We reiterate that Kosovo has already fulfilled all the requirements and based on the recommendations of the high representative, Josep Borrell, we expect the Council to make a quick decision on their removal", said Bislimi.

Due to the tensions in the north of Kosovo, inhabited by a majority of Serbs, last year the EU imposed punitive measures against Kosovo.

The head of EU diplomacy has recommended their removal, but the EU Council must approve such a thing.

At the press conference, the head of the EU in Kosovo, Aivo Orav, said that there is still no consensus on the measures.

"Regarding the lifting of the measures, first there is a need for consensus in the EU and until now we are still working to find this consensus. The member states must be convinced that now is the right time to remove these measures," he said.

Bislimi said that in the report, the EC congratulates Kosovo for its foreign policy towards the war in Ukraine, for establishing measures and sanctions against Russia in accordance with the measures taken by the EU and also for the alignment of the visa policy with that of the European bloc.

"The European Commission also congratulates Kosovo for the preparation and approval of the Reform Agenda for the years 2024-2027, assessed as a relevant, ambitious agenda that aims to fulfill the goals of the new instrument for reforms and economic growth. This assessment stems from Kosovo's commitment to advancing the European agenda but also in regional cooperation", said Bislimi.

Deputy Prime Minister Bislimi also said that progress has been observed in the field of justice, the fight against corruption, advancement in the issue of gender equality, emphasizing that only in two chapters has it been said that Kosovo has not made progress.

In the report on Kosovo, it is said that the country remains committed to the path towards European integration.

While recalling that Kosovo submitted its application for EU membership in December 2022, the report states that the Commission is ready to prepare an opinion on its application, when requested by the Council.

"As a state included in the enlargement package, Kosovo believes in and represents the European values ??of human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law, and human rights," said Bislimi.

The report states that Kosovo has made progress in the fight against organized crime, while the business environment in the country has also improved.

Kosovo is also encouraged to intensify its efforts to strengthen the rule of law and public administration, as well as to protect freedom of expression.

It also states that the Government should work to create cross-party political support to more effectively pursue reforms related to the EU.

Meanwhile, as far as the relations with Serbia are concerned, the EC report says that for both countries the normalization of relations remains key for their European path and the two countries risk losing important opportunities if they do not make progress in this direction.