Today’s decision of the EU Council for approval of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) between Kosovo and the EU and the appointment of 27 October for the signing, is news expected for many years and is a contribution of several years of work of Kosovo institutions, civil society and citizens in general, in partnership with international friends.
I would like to thank the 28 member countries of the EU that enable Kosovo the signing of the SAA and I reaffirm once again that for the European future of Kosovo, the European Union is unique.
The Kosovo Government vows to implement all points of the SAA, which make our market gradually, an integral part of a market of more than 508 million people. With this agreement, we will prove that we are a serious partner of the European Union and share common European values.
SAA will encourage foreign investment in our country, because the products “Made in Kosovo” will have access to a much wider market. To face the growing competition, the European Commission funds through the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA II) will invest over 600 million euros by 2020, to increase the competitive capacity of Kosovo in European markets.
Economic Development and the European agenda are the backbone of the governance program which is being implemented in Kosovo. Progress Report of the European Commission will be the priority agenda of our institutions, especially in the field of economic development, encouragement of foreign investment, the continuation of public administration reform, freedom of expression, combating crime and corruption etc.
SAA strongly reaffirms the determination of the citizens of Kosovo, regardless of their ethnic and political affiliation, for a deserved place in the European family.
Kosovo, as in the past, will prove European values and will give its contribution for peace in the region and beyond. Through the SAA and a positive recommendation that expect to receive for visa liberalization, the EU is demonstrating that Kosovo will be part of a joint aspiration of the Balkans, to be united in the European family.
Isa Mustafa
Prime Minister of Republic of Kosovo
Last modified: July 31, 2022