Minister Hoxhaj asks the Visegrad Group to support Kosovo’s integration

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Speaking to representatives of the V4 countries and foreign ministers of the Western Balkan countries, Minister Hoxhaj said that Kosovo has aspired to be a free and independent state for a long time.  He made it known that during these three years since the declaration of independence Kosovo has consolidated its institutions and established the foundations of good governance, stability and security inside Kosovo.

“Kosovo is one of the best models in the world for the integration of minorities in central and local government”, said Hoxhaj to those present.

The Minister also stated that a second aspiration is for a European Kosovo. Referring to the Progress Report for 2011, Hoxhaj said that Kosovo has taken an irreversible step on its European path and that the year 2012 will be the year of a European Kosovo.

“For citizens of the Republic of Kosovo, the recommendation in the Progress Report to start dialogue for visa liberalization was a very welcome and positive piece of news. The European Commission Progress Report is a good framework for us, strengthening rule of law, economic development and increasing wellbeing for all citizens”, said Minister Hoxhaj, inviting representatives of member states of the Visegrad group to help the Republic of Kosovo in the visa liberalization process and establishing contractual relations with EU institutions.

“All EU member states, those that have recognized Kosovo’s independence, must support our European future. Kosovo must not remain the only forgotten and isolated country in the region”, said Kosovo’s Foreign Minister, Enver Hoxhaj.

On this occasion, Minister Hoxhaj talked about the situation in the north. He said that the Government of the Republic of Kosovo is against the use of violence, against the status-quo and frozen conflict and that the only solution remaining is implementation of the Ahtisaari Package, which will facilitated the integration of this area into Kosovo’s institutions.

“For us, the process of European integration is a key process in reforming and developing the Republic of Kosovo”, said Minister Hoxhaj.

During the meeting of the Visegrad Group and foreign ministers of Western Balkan states, Minister Hoxhaj will hold separate meetings with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland and Hungary.