Prishtinë, 1 korrik 2024
Zëvendëskryeministri i parë për Integrim Evropian, Zhvillim dhe Dialog, Besnik Bislimi, mëngjesin e sotëm mori pjesë në ngjarjen e organizuar nga Ambasada e Hungarisë në Kosovë me rastin e shënimit të marrjes së kryesimit nga Hungaria të Këshillit të Bashkimit Evropian. Presidenca Hungareze e Këshillit të BE-së pason atë të Belgjikës dhe do të kryesojë Këshillin e BE-së për gjashtë muajt e ardhshëm.
Në fjalën e tij, zëvendëskryeministri Bislimi tha se Hungaria mban presidencën e Këshillit të BE-së në një kohë kur po përballemi me sfida të sigurisë, ekonomike, sociale dhe mjedisore që ndikojnë drejtpërdrejt në jetën dhe mirëqenien në Evropë. Ai shtoi se Qeveria e Kosovës vlerëson veçanërisht përkushtimin për një proces të qëndrueshëm dhe të bazuar në merita të zgjerimit, në të cilën synon të përshpejtohet anëtarësimi i vendeve të Ballkanit Perëndimor në BE.
Zëvendëskryeministri Bislimi nënvizoi se Kosova synon të ruajë vlerat e BE-së, të promovojë më tej një shoqëri të qëndrueshme, demokratike me mbrojtje të avancuar të të drejtave të njeriut dhe një ekonomi të hapur të tregut. Ai shtoi se Kosova është vendi i parë që ka dorëzuar agjendën e reformave në kuadër të Planit të Rritjes për periudhën 2024-2027 dhe në vazhdimësi po dëshmon gatishmërinë e nivelin e përgatitjes për hapa të rëndësishëm, siç është marrja e pyetësorit dhe më tej statusi i vendit kandidat. Zëvendëskryeministri bëri thirrje që aplikimi i Kosovës të trajtohet sa më parë e kjo gjatë presidencës hungareze.
“Strukturat tona koordinuese të Integrimit Evropian janë të përgatitura për t’iu përgjigjur pyetësorit në mënyrë cilësore dhe në kohë” u shpreh zëvendëskryeministri.
Fjala e plotë e zëvendëskryeministrit Bislimi në gjuhën angleze:
Dear President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani Sadriu,
Dear ex-President of the Republic of Kosovo, Ahtifete Jahjaga
Dear Ambassador of Hungary in Kosovo, Bela Bozsik,
Dear present ambassadors,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a great pleasure for me to address you on the occasion that, after 2011, starting today, Hungary once again holds the presidency of the Council of the European Union. Hungary holds the presidency at a time when we are facing security, economic, social and environmental challenges that directly affect the lives and our well-being in Europe.
In this way, the set strategic goals and political directions can have a huge impact on the success of the safe, free and prosperous European project in the next decade, especially we believe when Western Balkan Six is envisaged within that frame. Hence, we welcome and fully share the priorities of the Hungarian presidency program.
The government of Kosovo particularly appreciates the strong commitment to a consistent and merit-based enlargement policy, in which it aims to accelerate the accession process of the Western Balkan countries. A credible and merit-based EU accession process fundamentally promotes the peace and stability in the Western Balkans. Our commitment to European values and standards is steadfast and echoing the aspirations outlined in the Council conclusions.
As you already know, EU membership is a national goal and a strategic priority for the Republic of Kosovo, supported by more than 90% of citizens. With this in mind, let me highlight some important facts about Kosovo’s EU integration untainted perspective:
Kosovo declared independence on February 17th, 2008. From the outset, it introduced one of the most elaborate models for democracy, human rights and power-sharing, which have been enshrined in our Constitution. Kosovo has granted constitutional status to such international instruments as the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, the European Convention on Human Rights, the Framework Convention on Minorities, and the Istanbul Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence. The constitutional order is based on the Copenhagen Criteria and the principles of an open and competitive market economy.
Our Declaration of Independence was successfully defended at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which issued an advisory opinion on 22 July 2010 concluding that “the adoption of the declaration did not violate any applicable rule of international law”. Since then, Kosovo has patiently pursued dialogue with Serbia facilitated by the European Union.
Kosovo has experienced steady economic progress since the declaration of independence. It has successfully transitioned away from a model based on high dependence on foreign aid inflows, hence outperforming peer countries of similar per-capita income, with a strong impetus from diaspora inflows, public investment in infrastructure, amid a stable fiscal prudence.
As part of dialogue process, we all know the agreement on the path to normalization reached in Brussels on 27 February 2023, and the Implementation Annex finalized in Ohrid on March 18th, in large due to the efforts made by the Kosovo delegation to accept this agreement as an initiative from its allies. As of today, Kosovo is also the only contracting party that has accepted this agreement in full.
Kosovo has developed rapidly in this recent decade, it has ensured continuous economic growth, improved living standards and has taken important steps in building democratic institutions and free market economy. In the past three years, Kosovo’s economy has on average grown by 6.2%. Kosovo is continuing to implement reforms aimed at improving the business making environment, attracting FDIs, reducing corruption, strengthening enforcement of contract, and increasing labor force participation.
Kosovo has so far advanced significantly in the European integration process. Since the entry into force of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement in April 2016, we have shown unwavering commitment to EU values and standards. For eight years now, Kosovo has consistently demonstrated capacity to implement its obligations deriving from the SAA agreement and has substantially improved the quality of policies and laws thus proving its ability to implement the EU sectorial acquis.
Last three years we focused on implementation on European Reform Agenda (ERA II). By the end of last year, 72% of the measures have been implemented. A number of very important laws previously pending for years have been approved during this period.
The European Commision country report 2022 confirmed that Kosovo has stepped up its efforts to strengthen democracy and the rule of law, fight corruption, and intensify legislative activities. This annual assessment commends Kosovo for strengthening the capacities to coordinate the implementation of SAA.
Kosovo is a true democratic country recognized so by internationally acknowledged indexes in Rule of Law, Good Governance, Democratization, Anti-Corruption and Media Freedom. Elections are competitive, free and fair. The government remains committed to its systematic approach to increase integrity, accountability and transparency.
We have joined sanctions against Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. The war in Ukraine and Gaza highlighted the need to strengthen unity and solidarity between the EU and its closest partners, and thus the importance of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) alignment in the enlargement process. Full alignment of Kosovo with CFSP is in line with our strategic decision to join the EU and NATO.
Kosovo aims to preserve and maintain EU values, further promote a stable, democratic society and advanced human rights protection and an open market economy. In this regard, Kosovo grasped this opportunity, and we are the first country to submit a complete Reform Agenda for the Growth Plan for the period 2024-2027.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Despite all this, among the countries participating in the EU accession process, only Kosovo does not have a candidate status. Given the above-mentioned performance of Kosovo in relation to the accomplishments of its reform agenda and based on the EU’s stance that the EU integration process is merit-based, there is no reason to further delay the Commission to handle the Questionnaire. Our European Integration coordination structures are prepared to respond to the questionnaire in a quality and timely manner. While we will continue delivering on tangible, though costly reforms, they will only have a lasting impact when driven by a credible accession process with clear objectives. If our joint goal is to strengthen Kosovo’s stability, democracy, and prosperity, we should show our citizens that there is a tangible EU perspective based on credible and merit-based EU accession process.
The Republic of Kosovo submitted its application for EU membership back on December 15th, 2022, in accordance with Article 49 of the Treaty on the European Union, showing commitment to respect and promote fundamental values of the European Union. The European Parliament in the last few resolutions called on Member States to enable Kosovo to progress on its European path on an equal footing with candidate countries. Thus, we believe, that time has come for Kosovo to be given an equal perspective as the other aspiring countries.
Considering the focus of Hungary into the region, we are hopeful and confident that Kosovo’s application for EU membership will proceed accordingly during the Hungarian EU presidency.
Dear Ambassador Bozsik,
Let me again to congratulate Hungary on its preparations for the presidency. I wish you success in the implementation of your program, and I welcome a stronger cooperation between our two countries during these six coming months.
Thank you for your attention.
Last modified: 4 Korrik, 2024