Kosovo applies for EU membership

(Patria) - The First Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo for European Integration, Development and Dialogue Besnik Bislimi held a meeting with Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi in Brussels.

On this occasion, Bislimi informed him about Kosovo's decision to apply for EU membership. Bislimi stated that integration into the European Union is a priority and a strategic goal for Kosovo.

- We are engaged and fully committed to intensifying our efforts and continuing to strengthen institutional capacities in this direction - Bislimi stated.

Last year, Kosovo informed the EU institutions about the decision to apply for EU membership during this year, and now is the time for formalization and submission of the application, according to the statement of the Government of Kosovo, adding that Kosovo is in the sixth year of implementing the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU.

Bislimi said that the level of preparedness and readiness of Kosovo's institutions is higher than that of the countries in the region at the time they took the formal step of applying for membership in the European Union.

- Member states and representatives of the main EU institutions have met and have been informed by the Embassy of the Republic of Kosovo in Brussels, the team of the Deputy Prime Minister's office Bislimi and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, as well as in high-level bilateral meetings. The integration process must continue to be earned, with the priority of support, progress and the perspective of future membership - the statement reads.

During the meeting, Bislimi thanked Commissioner Varhelyi for the hospitality and fruitful conversation, expressing gratitude for the continuous support on Kosovo's path and processes of European integration.

Otherwise, the head of European diplomacy Josep Borrell has again invited the Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti and the President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić to Brussels to continue the dialogue on de-escalating tensions between Kosovo and Serbia.