The Netherlands, 7 September, 2023
At the beginning of his official visit to the Netherlands, the first Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration, Development and Dialogue of the Republic of Kosovo, Besnik Bislimi, participated in a conversation in the Parliament of the Netherlands with the deputies of the Commission for European Affairs.
In his speech, Deputy Prime Minister Bislimi thanked the state of the Netherlands for the continuous support shown to Kosovo in all areas. Regarding the issue of visa liberalization, he thanked the Parliament, especially the deputy Kati Piri for her support in this process and the initiatives undertaken for the support of the Netherlands towards Kosovo in this process.
Kosovo and the Netherlands are strengthening their relations and deepening economic and commercial cooperation, which is experiencing a positive trend and constant and stable growth.
In relation to the European integration process, Kosovo has shown a serious approach to the implementation of reforms and an ambitious program on the European agenda. It has been important for Kosovo to prove that our country can move at an accelerated pace. The progress of the last two years has been the largest historically for the country, this was also confirmed by the European Commission’s report on the country. Also, our development trajectory is proven by international indicators and measurements. Kosovo has shown prudence in the management of fiscal policies during the pandemic and the energy crisis and the potential for growth and development.
Our progress shows that Kosovo is ready to take important steps in the European integration process. For 7 years, our country has been implementing the Stabilization and Association Agreement, an indicator that we are more ready than the countries of the region compared to the moment of obtaining the status of a candidate country. Asked among other things by the deputies present about the support of the citizens of Kosovo towards the European integration process, Deputy Prime Minister Bislimi said that beyond the fact that our country is still the only one in the region that does not have the status of a candidate country, the support of the citizens is very large, about 94% in the last recorded measurements. This percentage shows the European spirit of our citizens, which translates into a clear Euro-Atlantic vision and ambition. Regarding the dialogue process, he emphasized that Kosovo continues to remain constructive, active and full of ideas in the process, committed to the implementation of the Basic Agreement, which must be implemented in full and through a fair, balanced and equal.
At the end of the conversation, Deputy Prime Minister Bislimi emphasized the message that the Netherlands is our friendly country, where we appreciate their partnership and are ready to take joint initiatives to especially strengthen our economic relations.
In this meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Bislimi was accompanied by the Ambassador of Kosovo to the Netherlands, Dren Doli.
Last modified: September 8, 2023