Eurocommissaris Füle spreekt met president Kosovo over voortgang hervormingen (en)

Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle i met Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga in Munich today to discuss progress on Kosovo's EU reform agenda. "Responsibility for delivering on Kosovo's European perspective lies first and foremost with the Kosovo authorities", Mr Füle stressed. He also recalled the December decisions of the European Council which provided for substantial intensification of the cooperation between the EU and Kosovo which should further strengthen "European aspiration" of Kosovo.

During their meeting in Munich Commissioner Füle congratulated Ms Jahjaga on the launch of the visa liberalisation dialogue earlier in January. The Commissioner urged Kosovo to do its part to ensure Kosovo citizens share the privilege of visa-free travel and to continue implementing reforms in the rule of law area.

Commissioner Füle also encouraged Kosovo to continue its preparations for a trade agreement. The Commission was looking for a convenient time to send a fact-finding mission on trade further to the invitation Kosovo extended to the Commissioner for Trade, Karel De Gucht i, earlier this year. Commissioner Füle also emphasised the need for EU Member States to find agreement on the Commission's proposal for a framework agreement with Kosovo to allow it to participate in EU programmes. He recalled that all Member States had agreed that Kosovo's socio-economic development would be enhanced by membership of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development i.

"I have also highlighted the need for an inclusive and long term agenda for the north of Kosovo and the Commission stands ready to provide technical and financial assistance to support this effort", Commissioner Füle said. He also confirmed that the Commission would launch a structured dialogue on the rule of law in Kosovo, with the very first meeting of top level stakeholders scheduled for the spring.

Commissioner Füle also encouraged Kosovo to stay committed to its dialogue with Serbia and be constructive and flexible in the search for a compromise solution on important issues such as regional cooperation. He emphasised it was essential that the agreements reached in the dialogue be implemented to the full and be supported by all political forces in Kosovo.

The December decisions of the European Council provided for substantial intensification of the cooperation between the EU and Kosovo which should further strengthen "European aspiration" of Kosovo.