Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice, Prof. Dr. Hajredin Kuçi accompanied by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade and Industry, Mimoza Kusari-Lila and the Minister of European Integration, Vlora Çitaku today hosted in a meeting the European Union Commissioner for Enlargement, Stefan Fule.

After the meeting they held a joint press conference where Deputy Prime Minister Kuçi said: "Let me to express my satisfaction about the meeting that we had with Commissioner Fule, and thank him for visiting the Republic of Kosovo.

We must accept the fact that the visit of the Commissioner Fule is good news for our country, and that Commissioner Fule, within this month, has met twice the officials of the Republic of Kosovo.

Let me say that every meeting with Commissioner Fule presents an overview of our achievements in the field of European integration, but also in taking on the obligations which are directly related to our integration process.

Today we have talked about three specific issues, which I will briefly describe. The first is associated with the process of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, and I have to say that the Republic of Kosovo has met the short-term criteria, and now we are at the phase of awaiting concrete steps from the European Commission in the month of April. I believe that in the coming months we will be able to start such a process which is of extremely great importance for Kosovo. In this process, we will continue with the fulfilment of the med-term criteria. 

In addition, discussed the visa liberalization process, emphasizing in particular the requirements that the institutions of Kosovo, and also all the other mechanisms in Kosovo must meet. We also are looking forward to an acceleration of both the processes, meaning that while we meet our obligations, EU institutions also ensure that this process is as fast, as short, and as effective as possible, and in compliance with our obligations. 

The third inevitable topic, which relates to the visit of the Commissioner in the region, has to do with the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. On behalf of the Government of Kosovo, I expressed the readiness of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, so that tomorrow we will be constructive in the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. Therefore, the Government of the Republic, namely the Prime Minister, is ready to reach an agreement between our two countries, with good intentions, to have peace, stability and the normalization of relations between our two countries. 

Naturally, we are always conscious of respecting Kosovo’s sovereignty, its territorial integrity, the Constitution and the legal system of our country.

We are contributing in this direction and we will be extremely careful. Let me express our admiration for the role the EU is playing, in particular that of Ms Ashton in the dialogue process, and also the direct contribution of Mr Fule in the process of European integration, and in the dialogue process.

We know that we have obligations we must carry out for the EU, but we are also convinced that the EU has willingness for the Kosovo's integration process, where we even belong, and where we should be as a country, as well as the region as a whole. Once again, let me welcome Mr Fule and thank him for his visit in Kosovo. "

Minister Çitaku said: "It is always a pleasure to meet with Commissioner Fule, who despite the challenges which the EU enlargement policy is facing today, continues to be a champion of inclusion and membership of all the countries in the big European family.

We assured the Commissioner that Kosovo will continue to work hard to ease his task and to assist him in being able to push forward Kosovo’s European agenda.

A relationship that has recently been defined by us, is now taking on a concrete form, after the Feasibility Study and the fulfillment of short-term criteria by our side. We anticipate the materialization of this relationship, and respectively entry into contractual relations by the signing of a Stabilization and Association Agreement, as the first step toward EU membership.

We are aware that we have a long road ahead of us. Kosovo continues to face challenges. We continue to share many problems with countries in the region. But we are very willing. There is no doubt at all that the practice of enlargement is based on lessons learned and Kosovo’s challenges are sometimes very large and complex.

However, it is important that at the end of this process, regardless of how long and challenging it is, Kosovo will have built all European values and principles within it. 

Kosovo is very lucky to have a strong political consensus. I informed the Commissioner that meeting the short-term criteria in such a short period of time would not have been possible without the broad support of opposition parties for the European integration process. 

In addition, we discussed the visa liberalization process, although this does not fall directly within Commissioner Fule’s brief. 

However, the European Commission office in Prishtina, and EULEX are an added value for Kosovo in this process. We have already developed our common roadmap in order to jointly share our duties and fulfil them as soon as possible.

Partnership is the key word, and I am very pleased with the partnership we have with the Commissioner, and also his structures here in Prishtina ".

Commissioner Füle said: "It is a pleasure to be here today – in a key moment for the European future of Kosovo. If you have observed more frequent contact between Prishtina and Brussels, this indicates the level of commitment on both sides, to moving Kosovo forward on its European path.

I have just met with my two colleagues, Deputy Prime Minister Kuçi and Minister Çitaku and will soon meet with President Jahjaga. My main message to them and to the whole of Kosovo is that – I support your efforts in the dialogue with Serbia and appreciate the progress made in meeting the short-term priorities deriving from the feasibility study for the Stabilisation and Association Agreement.

This progress is the result of the hard work of Kosovo. It is vital to maintain this momentum and continue this progress because it is on this basis that the Member States will decide for the in June on the next steps. "

The following days and weeks will be vital for the EU-Kosovo relations. A possible agreement with Belgrade tomorrow and its implementation in the terrain will lay out the path for a positive conclusion at the Council’s meeting in June on the negotiations for a Stabilisation and Association Agreement.

The Prime Minister has worked hard to reach this moment. Now he needs the support of everyone in Kosovo which is in the interest of all its citizens. Because, being European means being willing to compromise and also make consensuses.

I will soon deliver the same message to the National Council on European Integration and the joint meeting of the Assembly Committees on European Integration and Foreign Affairs.

Kosovo needs to show more courage now. More effort is required in the field of rule of law, with regard to the fight against organized crime and corruption, electoral reform and economic development.

The continuation of reforms and the improvement of relations are two sides of the same coin. Without them, Kosovo cannot thrive, prosper and be at peace with itself and with its neighbours on its path towards Europe. I am sure that you can succeed and you have our constant support. "