Iers voorzitterschap brengt aanmoedigingsbezoek aan Kosovo (en)

The Minister for European Affairs, Lucinda Creighton TD, is on an official visit to Kosovo today (Tuesday). Minister Creighton aims to progress the prospects for an agreement on opening negotiations on an EU Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with Kosovo at the June European Council and before the end of the Irish EU Presidency. This afternoon the Minister met the Foreign Minister, Enver Hoxhaj where they discussed the progress on implementation of the historic agreement with Serbia in April.

Speaking in Pristina, Minister Creighton said: “Ireland, as a strong supporter of EU enlargement and a friend of Kosovo, was pleased that in December the European Council left open the prospects for progress during our Presidency on Kosovo. We warmly welcomed the agreement reached with Serbia in April, which was no less than historic and I would like to pay tribute to the government here for their efforts to date.”

“As Presidency we are working hard to facilitate agreement on opening SAA negotiations with Kosovo in June. This will require the agreement of all 27 member states and therefore the implementation of the April deal is vitally important. I am confident that agreement will be reached and we are working to ensure the SAA with Kosovo will be as robust as possible.”

Minister Creighton - “As Presidency we are working hard to facilitate agreement on opening SAA negotiations with Kosovo in June."

“I am extremely proud to be here today representing Council of the EU and Ireland, affirming that the future of Kosovo is in the European Union. This is a place that was ravaged by war 14 years ago. Progress since then has been remarkable but the possibilities for Kosovo in Europe are infinite.”

Minister Creighton will also meet the Minister for European Integration Vlora Citaku and the Deputy Prime Minister Slobodan Petrovic.