Prishtina, 30 October, 2024
Today, after the meeting of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, with the Head of the EU Office in Kosovo, Aivo Orav, where he accepted the Annual Report for the Country for 2024, a joint press conference of the First Deputy Prime Minister was held for European Integration, Development and Dialogue of the Republic of Kosovo, Besnik Bislimi, and Ambassador Orav, in which the findings of the report were discussed as well as the achievements and priorities of the Republic of Kosovo for the present and the future.
In his address, the Deputy Prime Minister said that: “The country’s report for this year shows that the Government has continued with its ambitious reform agenda towards the European Union. In the European integration agenda, Kosovo has been evaluated for the political prioritization that has been given to this process, as well as the achievements in the implementation of the ERA II European Reform Agenda and the National Program for European Integration, where in the last 3 years we have had a level of high of their implementation by over 70%.”
He added that the European Commission also congratulates Kosovo for the preparation and approval of the Reform Agenda within the Growth Plan for the years 2024-2027, assessed as a relevant, ambitious agenda that aims to fulfill the goals of the new reform instrument. and economic growth.
He also mentioned the achievements within the block of political, economic, social and sectoral policies and the green agenda.
“We welcome the assessment of progress by the European Commission, but even more we welcome the recommendations of this report which will be taken seriously for the next period. The implementation of the recommendations from the report is important for us, not only in the prism of progress in integration European, but also towards the further development of our country. We will continue the implementation of the recommendations, but also the political prioritization of the European integration agenda, despite the unfair measures that are in force.” said the Deputy Prime Minister, adding that Kosovo has already fulfilled all the requirements and based on the recommendations of the High Representative, Mr. Borrell, we expect the Council to make a quick decision on their removal.
“Kosovo has proven to be a reliable ally of the European Union and strongly believes in its European future. As an example of democracy in the region, we have shown our commitment whenever we have been given an equal opportunity. Now is the time that the Union Europe to show that it sees Kosovo as part of it, maintaining the process of meritocratic integration and advancing Kosovo to candidate status.” Deputy Prime Minister Bislimi concluded his speech.
The complete speech of Deputy Prime Minister Bislimi at the press conference:
Dear Ambassador Orav,
Dear citizens of the Republic of Kosovo,
Dear representatives of the media,
Thank you for being with us today, at this moment when we are accepting the Country Report for 2024 from the European Commission.
The expansion of the European Union has been and remains a key pillar of security, stability, peace and well-being in Europe. Today, the enlargement package includes 10 countries, from 7 a few years earlier, proving the permanent strategic commitment of the European Union to maintain stability and peace in Europe. With the new leadership in the European Union, this orientation for the countries involved constitutes a new momentum for commitment towards the fulfillment of European values.
As a state included in the enlargement package, Kosovo believes in and represents the European values of human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law, and human rights. Therefore, today when we are accepting the country’s annual report, it is a day of special importance because we get to see where good work has been done by the Republic of Kosovo and where we should focus from now on.
The country’s report for this year shows that the Government has continued with its ambitious reform agenda towards the European Union. In the European integration agenda, Kosovo has been evaluated for the political prioritization that has been given to this process, as well as the achievements in the implementation of the ERA II European Reform Agenda and the National Program for European Integration, where in the last 3 years we have had a level of high of their implementation with over 70%.
The report congratulates Kosovo for its foreign policy towards the war in Ukraine, for the establishment of measures and sanctions against Russia in full compliance with those of the European Union, as well as for the progress made in aligning the visa policy with that of the European Union .
The report also positively evaluates the developments in the regional cooperation agenda, singling out the representation of Kosovo in CEFTA and the progress in the construction of the Common Regional Market (CRM), as one of the greatest achievements of the Berlin Process. Kosovo’s commitment to operationalize this market and its proactive approach have helped to overcome previous challenges and have created a new momentum in this process, which is already included in the second pillar of the Growth Plan.
The European Commission also congratulates Kosovo for the preparation and approval of the Reform Agenda for the years 2024-2027, assessed as a relevant, ambitious agenda that aims to fulfill the goals of the new instrument for reforms and economic growth. This assessment stems from Kosovo’s commitment to advancing the European agenda but also in regional cooperation.
In the block of political criteria, the report highlights key achievements in the justice system, the fight against corruption and the advancement of gender equality. For anti-corruption efforts, the establishment of the Special Investigation Unit in the Kosovo Police and the Law on Special Prosecution are highlighted. These policies have strengthened transparency and accountability in governance. Meanwhile, advances in the field of gender equality, such as budgeting with gender sensitivity and the increased representation of women at the municipal level, prove the commitment of the Government of Kosovo for inclusive and fair governance.
Other achievements that are highlighted are: the expansion of digital public services through the e-Kosova platform to 180 services in total, the improvement of respect for human rights, increased engagement with civil society, and many other achievements that reveal the dedication ours for a fair future, inclusive and with sustainable development, as are the values and standards of the European Union.
In the block of economic criteria, the report estimates that Kosovo has recorded strong economic growth, proving stability in the face of external challenges such as global inflation and economic recession. This comes as a result of the improvement of the collection of budget revenues and fiscal management, which has also led to the reduction of the budget deficit. In addition, the management of public finances and the commitment to responsible fiscal policies aimed at expanding the tax base and reducing informality are also positively evaluated.
As for social policies, the report emphasizes the expansion of social assistance for vulnerable groups and the increase of the welfare of children and mothers through important legal reforms. The implementation of the Youth Guarantee Scheme and vocational training initiatives are cited as important steps in reducing youth unemployment and improving workforce skills. All these together reflect Kosovo’s commitment to build a comprehensive social framework, in accordance with EU standards.
In sectoral policies and the green agenda, Kosovo has made progress in the field of energy, where the successful auction for solar energy represents an important step towards diversifying energy sources and reducing dependence on coal, thus aligning with the Union’s environmental goals. European. Furthermore, the adoption of the Law on Climate Change establishes a clear framework for environmental governance, defining mechanisms for monitoring and reporting greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with European Union climate regulations. In this sector, laws and strategies have been adopted that include renewable energy sources, energy performance of buildings, climate change, and the development of transport and the common agricultural market.
We welcome the assessment of progress by the European Commission, but even more we welcome the recommendations of this report which will be taken seriously for the next period. The implementation of the recommendations from the report is important for us, not only in the perspective of progress in European integration, but also towards the further development of our country.
We will continue the implementation of the recommendations, but also the political prioritization of the European integration agenda, despite the unfair measures that are in force. We characterize them as unfair because, firstly, their removal has already been recommended and despite this recommendation they still remain in force, and secondly, we consider them to be contrary to the very principles and values of the European Union, thus harming perhaps itself credibility of the EU towards our citizens. We reiterate that Kosovo has already fulfilled all the requirements and based on the recommendations of the High Representative, Mr. Borrell, we expect the Council to make a quick decision on their removal.
Dear attendees,
Dear citizens,
Kosovo has proven to be a reliable ally of the European Union and strongly believes in its European future. As an example of democracy in the region, we have shown our commitment whenever we have been given an equal opportunity. Now is the time for the European Union to show that it sees Kosovo as part of it, maintaining the meritocratic integration process and advancing Kosovo to candidate status. This would further strengthen our commitment to the European agenda, making our path to the EU even clearer and the results even more tangible. At the very end, let me reiterate that: Kosovo does not have and does not seek another alternative and remains determined on its journey towards the EU.
Once again, thank you so much!
Last modified: October 31, 2024