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DR. VJOSA OSMANI SADRIU
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO
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President Thaçi received EU High Representative, Josep Borrell

Prishtina, January 30, 2020 – The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi, received today EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell.

President Thaçi said that Borrell’s first visit to Kosovo and then to other countries in the region shows the increased attention by the EU towards Kosovo and the Western Balkans.

President Thaçi said that Kosovo’s strategic orientation is very clear.

“I informed Mr. Borrell in particular regarding the visa liberalization process, where Kosovo has been treated unfairly, because we have fully implemented all the criteria for visa liberalization for Kosovo. Even today, I cannot but express the disappointment of the institutions and citizens of Kosovo with the European Union’s decision not to liberalize visas for Kosovo. Especially when we take into account that we are dealing with an assessment of standards not similar to other countries in the region, while some of those countries have problems with the functioning of democracy, the rule of law, of human rights and the free functioning of the media and are treated more affirmatively than Kosovo, which is an example of democracy in the region”, said President Thaçi, saying that the European Union has made a strategic mistake while not liberalizing visas for Kosovo.

“This isolation and discrimination of Kosovo is completely unfair, because it is impeding the European future”, added President Thaçi.

The Head of State and the EU High Representative also discussed about the possibility of reaching a final agreement between the state of Kosovo and Serbia.

Mr. Borrell has experience as a man of politics and diplomacy, a life experience that I highly value and I trust that together with his team, in coordination with the member states of the European Union, we will work hard to ensure a transparent process, a dialogue that will bring results to our two countries and peoples, which will bring peace, stability and a secure European future”, stated President Thaçi.

He stressed that the key to reaching a final agreement between Kosovo and Serbia is the European unity and the close coordination between the European Union and the United States of America.

On the other hand, EU High Representative Josep Borrell stressed that the European Union is not complete without the Western Balkans.

“The European Union is not complete without the Western Balkans. The stability in the region is your stability. And the security, prosperity, freedom of every state in Europe is our priority. We cannot afford to have a divided Balkan”, Borrell said.

As Vice President of the European Commission, he confirmed once again that Kosovo has met all the criteria for visa liberalization.

“It is high time to move on and finish with the technical requirements and I would like to say that it is a known matter that Kosovars want to travel freely around other European countries, but I insist that I cannot promise, but can assure you that the European Commission will make such a decision very soon, for each country”, said Borrell.

Regarding the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, President Thaçi stated in front of the EU Representative that he expects from Brussels and Washington an increased and coordinated effort to successfully complete this process.
 

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