Distinguished Ambassador Orav,
Esteemed members of the media,
Every year, our country receives the Progress Report from the European Commission, which assesses developments across all sectors of the state. This year, even though we have been a caretaker government, the Report finds that we have fulfilled our duties successfully.
I thank the European Commission and the EU Office in Kosovo for their cooperation in advancing our European agenda. Integration into the European Union remains both a value-based and strategic priority of the Republic of Kosovo. This year’s Report is positive in almost all areas and offers clear recommendations where there are shortcomings. It reflects the work of the government and our shared societal progress.
This year, as throughout our entire mandate, there has been no backsliding in any area. There is progress in 35 fields and stagnation in only 3. The progress ranges from limited to advanced. Our direction is clear: full membership in the European Union. The Report confirms our commitment and the broad public support for the integration process.
The Report notes our alignment with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy, including sanctions against Russia and Belarus, and the condemnation of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
At the same time, the Report recognizes progress in key sectors where our Government’s policies have been unfairly criticized domestically. I will highlight some of these. What was described publicly as an “economic collapse,” this Report shows to be economic development:
• Real economic growth of 4.4% in 2024, higher than the average from 2016–2023.
• GDP per capita rose from 27% to 30% of the EU average.
• 16.7% increase in capital expenditures and 8.2% rise in tax revenues in 2024.
• Strengthened financial oversight of public enterprises.
In the business environment, the Report notes:
• A reduction of informality in the economy.
• Adoption of the Law on Sustainable Investments, creating a comprehensive legal framework for investments.
• Adoption of the Law on Beneficial Owners, helping identify ultimate ownership and combat money laundering.
• Adoption of the Administrative Burden Reduction Programme 2025–2028.
What had been labeled in public opinion as charity, this Report shows to be progress in social policy. In social policy, the Report notes we have moved from the preparatory phase to marked progress:
• The minimum wage increased from €264 to €350.
• The Employment and Labour Market Strategy 2024–2028 was adopted.
• Payments under social assistance schemes have begun according to new rules, modernizing the system within an integrated platform.
• Implementation of the Youth Guarantee pilot, ensuring employment or professional training opportunities for every young person.
What had been described publicly as a deterioration of foreign relations, the Report shows to be progress in external relations. In this regard, the Report highlights significant advancement:
• Progress in implementing the Common Regional Market Agreements 2021–2024, including the practical lifting of visa requirements for citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
• Opening of joint border crossing points with North Macedonia at Bllacë and Globoqicë–Jazhincë, accelerating border procedures.
• Exemplary representation of Kosovo in CEFTA during our first year of direct participation, where we resolved long-standing issues such as the election of a new CEFTA director.
• Signing of the Free Trade Agreement with EFTA countries in January 2025, expected to enter into force after ratification.
• Free trade agreements with Turkey and the United Kingdom.
There is also progress in the digital transformation sector, another focus of our government. The Report recognizes advancement in the digital transformation of the economy:
• 230 digital services are available on the e-Kosova platform.
• Progress in the digitalization of education through the creation of the Department for Digitalization and the national platform shkollat.org.
• Digitalization in justice has reduced case backlogs.
• Since June this year, company registration is done online, and certificates are issued digitally with electronic signatures.
In the field of culture, the Report finds that:
• For the first time, the Sports Strategy 2025–2030 has been adopted.
• The Law on Art and Culture has been approved.
• Kosovo has joined the EU’s cultural program Creative Europe.
The Report also shares concerns that we ourselves have raised in order to advance reforms toward EU standards, particularly in the field of justice, where we would like to see greater progress in cooperation with independent institutions.
Regarding freedom of expression, the Report notes that Kosovo enjoys media pluralism but identifies challenges related to ownership transparency and financial sustainability of the media. We are concerned by the Report’s finding that the media environment was subject to disinformation efforts during the electoral process, both from domestic and external sources — including disinformation campaigns by Russia-linked media such as “RT Balkan” and “Sputnik Srbija.”
We will work to turn the Report’s recommendations into concrete implementation priorities.
Kosovo has proven itself to be an ally of the European Union and a model of democracy in the region. We have met the standards that make our country ready to obtain candidate status. No country in the region was more advanced than Kosovo at the time of applying for this status.
Therefore, delays in this regard are not merely political delays, but delays in the reforms and progress we rightfully deserve.
Kosovo remains committed to its progress toward full EU integration, the strengthening of democratic institutions, and the building of a fairer and more equal society. I once again thank Ambassador Orav for his role and contribution in maintaining the bridge between Prishtina and Brussels.
