Pristina, October 24, 2022
The first Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration, Development and Dialogue of the Republic of Kosovo, Besnik Bislimi, hosted a delegation from the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), headed by Mr. Nikola Dobroslavić. Deputy Prime Minister Bislimi was accompanied in this meeting by the Minister of Local Government Administration, Elbert Krasniqi.
The two parties discussed Kosovo’s advancement on the road to integration into the European Union and the progress achieved. The head of this delegation said that he supports the EU membership journey of the countries of the Western Balkans, where the fulfillment of reforms and the achievement of EU standards is needed, where he expressed that he sees positive, dynamic developments in Pristina and hopes that Kosovo will achieve its objectives. Mr. Bislimi spoke about the European agenda of the country and the steps being taken on the journey towards the EU. The objective for the application for membership in the EU was expressed, with the aim of obtaining the status of a candidate country and commitment to the completion of the visa liberalization process.
Deputy Prime Minister Bislimi emphasized that Kosovo is on a new trajectory of development, which was also reflected in the latest report on the country by the European Commission. This was the best report ever produced for Kosovo, while compared to other Western Balkan countries, this was the report with the highest progress for 2022.
In the following, the possibilities of increasing cooperation between Kosovo and the CoR were discussed, through the inclusion of Kosovo in the reports, opinions and publications of this Committee in various fields. Support was also requested for Kosovo’s participation in transnational programs and support for local economic development and the green agenda.
The CoR has a statutory role in EU enlargement policy through the Stabilization and Association Agreements by establishing Joint Consultative Committees (JCCs) to promote dialogue and cooperation between local and regional authorities in the EU and the enlargement countries, and to support them on their way to the EU.
The next day, the working group for the cooperation of the European Committee of the Regions with the Western Balkans will be held, to address the successes, challenges and the involvement of the municipalities of Kosovo in the framework of the fulfillment of the European agenda.
Last modified: October 25, 2022