Bled, 28 August 2023
During the discussion, he spoke about Kosovo’s relations with the five non-recognizing countries in the European Union, which he said the atmosphere is better than it has been in the past.
He will say that Kosovo is a double success; of the successful NATO intervention that stopped the genocide against the Kosovo Albanians in 1999, and of the coexistence of economic development and democratic progress.
The Prime Minister stated that the goal of the Republic of Kosovo for membership in the European Union is not only to benefit from it, but also to contribute to it. Meanwhile, alongside the European Union, he said that Kosovo is looking forward to being part of the Council of Europe and NATO’s Partnership for Peace Program.
Regarding the region, specifically the Western Balkans, he said it is important that there is mutual recognition, both de facto and de jure, among all six Western Balkan states, as well as the protection and respect of national minority rights throughout the region and dealing with the past.
Regarding internal developments in the country, in addition to the increase in the budget and economic performance, he also spoke about the situation in the four municipalities in the north, highlighting that two months have now passed without any incidents or violent protests, as the legal basis for extraordinary elections is being prepared, which should be preceded by a fair and open electoral campaign, and followed by free and democratic elections.
At the conclusion of the discussion, Prime Minister Kurti stated that the entire region needs to become part of the EU and NATO so that future generations do not experience the difficulties we have encountered.
In addition to Prime Minister Kurti, this panel included the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Nikolai Denkov, the Prime Minister of Croatia, Andrej Plenkovic, the Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Dimitar Kovacevski, the acting Prime Minister of Montenegro, Dritan Abazovic, and the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Borjana Kristo.
Last modified: August 29, 2023