Hoxhaj: Kosovo’s Recognition by the five EU member states is essential for Kosovo and Balkan’s EU integration

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In a speech delivered before the representatives of these states (Cyprus, Greece, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina) who were present in the conference, Minister Hoxhaj emphasized the necessity and full reasonability that these countries move towards such affirmative decision for Kosovo but for the entire region, too.

Minister Hoxhaj commended the facilitators and supporters of this conference and in particular on drafting and publishing very important analysis’ regarding the relation between Kosovo and these states.

“This publication, above all else, illuminates the true reasons why these states have not yet joined the 23 EU states and 89 states worldwide in recognizing the new geo-political reality in the Balkans. These data represent a good opportunity for Kosovar institutions in establishing a clearer reflection regarding the four-year hesitation. We have also included Serbia and Bosnia in it, which undoubtedly represent a challenge for Kosovo in the regional context”, stated minister Hoxhaj, adding that this publication shall serve as a roadmap for the activities of the institutions in an attempt to convince these countries to recognize Kosovo’s independence.

Regarding the hesitation of the European five in joining the 23 EU states in recognizing Kosovo, Hoxhaj stated that we are not talking about a blockade against Kosovo independence because any state has its reasons for non-recognition.

On the reflection on non-recognition of the five countries about Kosovo’s European perspective, the Foreign Minister Hoxhaj said that Kosovo’s European perspective clarity greatly depends from the decision of these five states in the months to come.

“That’s why the recognition of Kosovo from Spain, Romania, Slovakia, Greece and Cyprus are essential for the integration of Kosovo, and also for the remaining countries in the Balkans, into the European Union”, he noted.
 
Meanwhile, regarding the regional dimension on the non-recognition of Kosovo by Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and minister Hoxhaj emphasized that Serbia’s ambitions and aspirations for EU membership are oftentimes in strong collision with its daily policy towards the Republic of Kosovo and that towards other countries of the region. “It is not possible for Serbia to have European conduct in the morning while in Brussels, and in the afternoon in Mitrovica – an anti European conduct”, noted among other Minister Hoxhaj. According to him, Serbia’s fate is within its own borders and it is about time that it needs to define its policy towards the European Union.

Kosovo’s Minister of European Integration, Vlora Çitaku, the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Kosovo, Ian Cliff, EU Special Representative/Head of European Union Office in Kosovo, Samuel Zbogar, and KFOS Executive Director, Luan Shllaku, also addressed to  those attending the conference “Kosova Thërret”.

Following this, the working panels of this conference commences and it is expected that this will yield in important results in the advancement of relations between Kosovo and these states, which at this stage are hesitant to recognize the independence of Kosovo.