Brussels, December 8, 2022
The first Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration, Development and Dialogue of the Republic of Kosovo, Besnik Bislimi, met the Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, Oliver Varhelyi, in Brussels.
Since last year, Kosovo had notified the EU institutions of the decision to apply for EU membership within this year and now is the moment to formalize and submit the application. Deputy Prime Minister Bislimi informed Commissioner Varhelyi about the decision on the application for EU membership. Integration in the European Union is a priority and a strategic goal for the Republic of Kosovo. We are engaged and fully committed to intensifying our efforts and continuing to strengthen institutional capacities in this direction.
Kosovo is already in the sixth year of implementation of the Stabilization and Association Agreement. Deputy Prime Minister Bislimi said that the level of preparation and readiness of our institutions is higher than that of the countries of the region, at the moment of taking the formal step of applying for membership in the European Union.
The member states and representatives of the main institutions of the EU have met and been informed by the Embassy of the Republic of Kosovo in Brussels, the team of the office of the Deputy Prime Minister Bislimi and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, as well as by high-level bilateral meetings. The integration process must continue to be meritorious, with priority support, progress and a perspective on future membership.
We are committed to show, with all our capacities, the will to move forward towards the European Union. Advancing on the road to the European Union also means strengthening institutions and walking on the trajectory of progress in the rule of law, democratization, the fight against organized crime and corruption, social policies, economic development, social cohesion, and our country is doing exactly that. The 2022 Country Report reaffirms the achievements in these areas, which also include the first full reporting period on Kurti II governance.
Deputy Prime Minister Bislimi thanked Commissioner Varhelyi for the hospitality and the fruitful conversation, expressing his gratitude for the continuous support in the journey and processes of European integration of Kosovo.
Last modified: December 9, 2022