Vienna, 8 December 2022
The full speech of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosova, Albin Kurti, at the Socialists & Democrats Western Balkans Leaders’ Summit in Vienna, on the ” Western Balkans Enlargement NOW! For a social, democratic, peaceful society!” :
It’s a great honour and pleasure to be here today with all of you.
I of course welcome the initiative of the EU/Western Balkans Summit in Tirana, the first ever outside the EU since 2000 summit, when it took place in Zagreb.
I appreciate that the EU/Western Balkans summit has strengthened a call for the acceleration of the accession process.
In addition what we are very much optimistic about is Berlin Process, which got rejuvenated with Chancellor Olaf Scholz. On 3d of November in Berlin we have signed the agreements, all six countries of Western Balkans, and now we look forward to ratification of these agreements in each of our parliaments. Three agreements being: one to travel with ID cards only across all borders among us, then recognition of higher education and likewise professional qualifications
Besides Berlin Process , I believe that we need to think outside of the coordinates of the current situation for the way forward. It is important to have a tide in Western Balkans, which is going to lift all the boats at the same time. Something like EEA, EFTA EEA. We know that countries like Austria and Portugal, first were part of EEA and then they joined EU. We could call this SEFTA – South Eastern Europe Free Trade Agreement, or common regional market, as it is in Berlin Process, being advanced further. Because we need and accelerated process for EU membership. So far we have been speaking of EU perspective, of EU integration, but we need EU membership. EU perspective as a buzz word is not enough anymore. And to this end, we must have some milestones and some timeframes. It is difficult to mobilize people and to sustain optimism and enthusiasm for EU which is very important, as long as we do not have timelines. Be that 2023, with other separated sequences that say 2024, 2026, what we will reach, at which year, in order to have all the Western Balkans on board to move towards EU and join EU as soon as possible.
I believe that now the main driver of the renewed interest of the European institutions and Member States for enlargement is geopolitics, out of this unfortunate events with Russian aggression and invasion in Ukraine, with the involvement of third powers therefore undermining EU security, than by genuine political thinking of the mutual interests to be united in the EU.
Unfortunately it needed therefore Russian war in Ukraine to exacerbate the urgency for answering Western Balkan’s expectations and EU’s commitment.
It is of utter importance, that socialists and democrats take the lead on the integration of our region. The narrative about the Western Balkans cannot be led by far right forces. By those who think that economic development doesn’t need quality democracy and then again, democracy doesn’t need human rights and political pluralism. We know very well that exactly the opposite is the truth.
We must have human rights and political pluralism for quality democracy, which is the only way to make economic development a just and sustainable one.
This being said, I am happy to announce that as the leader of the Self-determination Movement we have sent to Party of European Socialist the request to become an associated member.
Also I want to inform that this month, before Christmas, Kosova will apply to EU membership (Government’s position paper available to the group), and we count on the S&D’s support and statement to welcome that important step.
My government and all our policies are fully in line with the progressive vision of Socialists and Democrats.
Also in regard to the enlargement I know that Socialist and Democrats see it as a process of “extension of democracy, peace and prosperity.
Enlargement is essential to EU. EU should stay faithful to this essence of her. External enlargement should go hand in hand with internal consolidation. One doesn’t have to exclude the other. I believe that European Union in Western Balkans should be home grown yet not self-made. Not self-made because we need help from outside, but yet it is us that we should build EU from ourselves for ourselves. And EU not as a interest as much as value. Because together with values, interest will come. We live at times when values and interest must be closely aligned.
The new geopolitical challenges have increased the necessity to align with the Common Foreign Security Policy, which Kosova is doing despite its early stage in the integration process. And in this sense we should reject neutrality when it comes to Russian aggression in Ukraine. Neutrality is cynicism. Those who are neutral are cynical. Because neutrality implies a certain distancing from the situation as a matter that you are talking about. And I am afraid that some of the countries who are pretending to be neutral, obviously their neutrality is fake. But on the other hand, the neutrality of the democratic west towards that neutrality, is not fair. Se we should quit being neutral towards those who pretend to be neutral. And this will strengthen our solidarity, but also help Ukrainian people to achieve their liberation out of their struggle, sooner rather than later.
Kosova has been a double success story, of NATO intervention to stop genocide of regime of Milosevic, but also to have economic growth together with quality democracy. For example, last year we improved by 17 places in Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index, and then again by 17 places in World Press Freedom Index, Reporters Without Borders, freedom of the media. And for the second time we come out first in Western Balkans six regarding rule of law according to World Justice Project. Among 14 countries in Eastern Europe which are still not part of EU, we are number two after Georgia. So quality democracy, human rights, political pluralism, good governance, go together with economic growth. Last year we had economic growth of 10.7% of GDP. This year it will be at least 4% when you extract the inflation. So we are very optimistic for the future and we need help from EU to enlarge Western Balkans, not that we just benefit, but also that we want to contribute.
Thank you very much.
Last modified: December 8, 2022