Copenhagen, 2 September 2025
The Acting First Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration, Development and Dialogue of the Republic of Kosovo, Besnik Bislimi, participated in the informal meeting of ministers for European affairs organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, within the framework of the Danish Presidency of the EU Council. The meeting brought together ministers for European affairs from member states and aspirant countries for EU membership. The topic of discussion at the roundtable was “The Copenhagen Criteria and Gradual Integration.”
In his address, Deputy Prime Minister Bislimi emphasized that Kosovo has made progress in implementing reforms and considerable advancement in recent years, achieving, among other things, the fastest economic growth in the region, reducing unemployment from 23.8% to 10.9% in just four years, improving its rankings in international indices, and doubling foreign direct investment. He underlined that the application for membership in December 2022 demonstrates Kosovo’s aspiration and readiness for further advancement, while Kosovo has already been implementing the Stabilization and Association Agreement for nearly a decade.
The Deputy Prime Minister stressed that our institutions have demonstrated a high level of preparedness; therefore, it is essential that they be assessed based on meritocracy, by receiving the questionnaire and attaining candidate country status.
Alongside the ministers, the European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, also took part in this discussion.
