Hoxhaj and Fajon: Kosova has a safe European future

Download picture in higher resolutionDownload picture in higher resolutionDownload picture in higher resolution

Minister Hoxhaj informed in detail the European MP’s with the progress achieved by Kosovo in consolidating internal and external statehood, the number of recognitions obtained and in the unstoppable path of strengthening the state of Kosovo.

Minister Hoxhaj also briefed the guests on the technical dialogue process between the Republic of Kosovo and the Republic of Serbia which is taking place these days in Brussels. “We talked about the European future of the Republic of Kosovo, for the decisions made by the European Union in December last year, especially with regards to visa liberalization dialogue, on obtaining contractual relations in the form of trade relations. As Government of the Republic of Kosovo we expect that through a press conference the European Commission will inform all citizens of Kosovo on starting to draft a feasibility study which is the first stage that through a particular time the Republic of Kosovo will sign and Stabilization Association Agreement, which is the genuine framework in beginning a process of European Integration of the European Union.

While commenting on recent development about Kosovo’s representation in regional initiatives with the footnote 1244, Minister Hoxhaj stressed that all official documents drafted so far concerning Kosovo have had Resolution 1244 as reference.

“Until now you are aware that I, as minister, and my predecessor, Skender Hyseni, have participated in all possible international meetings under the authority of Resolution 1244. All official documents drafted so far which concern Kosovo and the EU Progress Report, have always contained a reference to Resolution 1244. I believe what is currently happening in Brussels is about how to make Kosovo representation be more advanced and how to balance it with a reference which pertains to the factual reality in Kosovo, with the Declaration of the Independence of Kosovo and with the ICJ opinion.  However, any other interpretation I believe is an interpretation which does not correspond with the reality”, clarified minister Hoxhaj adding that “if an agreement is reached in Brussels, what will then happen with Kosovo is a change of positive quality”.
“Kosovo can become member in regional European and global organizations; can represent itself in these organizations; can speak on its own behalf in these organizations and at the same it has the authority to be signatory in these multilateral meetings”, stated Hoxhaj. He noted that until now MFA has 85 agreements signed, but these signed agreements are bilateral ones between the Republic of Kosovo and the states which have recognized the Republic of Kosovo. “While behind a formula to be reached in Brussels following the new nomination, we will be able to represent, present and sign our country as an independent and sovereign state. Certainly the formula which will be found for Kosovo’s representation and membership in 40 regional organizations, this formula will also be used in contractual relations between the Republic of Kosovo and EU institutions; this formula will also used in signing the Stabilization Association Agreement. I think there we will come to a great difference in quality if we accurately interpret the reality in the forms as it happened”, added Hoxhaj.

On the other hand, Tanja Fajon, the European Parliament Rapporteur for visa matters, stated that today is a vital moment for Kosovo and for its future in its path toward European Integration.

She stated that she is very happy that the European Commission and the European Union have decided to begin the dialogue with Kosovo and in the weeks to come we will be anticipating the roadmap for Kosovo. “You know that the European Parliament supports the enlargement of the European Union and regarding visa liberalization for Kosovo we will be doing anything possible that Kosovo enters this path, too”, Fajon said, underlining that in the past, Kosovo institutions have done much work in order to get to this point, but according to her, all this depends from the work on the ground. She stated that it is now proper that Kosovo citizens continue to live behind these closed doors in the Western Balkans.

“We are very much aware of this and I hope that in the months to come we will see a clear progress regarding Kosovo. What I also expect today is that all decisions made in Brussels will be decisions which remove nothing from Kosovo’s integrity or independence” asserted MP Fajon.
Fajon said that it is very important that Kosovo continues its European path and according to her, this is very important for the younger generations. “In recent years I’ve had many contacts with the youth and it is very difficult to understand that Kosovo youth does not have those opportunities as the youth in countries of the region”, she stated.

In answering the question why you are not referring to Kosovo as the Republic of Kosovo as your Parliament recognized Kosovo as an independent state, and does this mean you will continue to used the footnote after these developments, the European Parliament Rapporteur for visa matters Tanja Fajon stated that I referred to the citizens of Kosovo instead of stating the Republic of Kosovo.

“You know that Slovenia recognizes the state of Kosovo and is very important that the five European Union countries would acknowledge today’s decision and gradually we will also obtain recognitions from the five European Union countries. I think we are going the right direction and this positive news from Brussels I believe will be well perceived in order to have better chances to talk with the five Member States. I think we are going the right direction and I think that the decision from Brussels will be a very positive news for Kosovo”, stated MP Fajon.