Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti, during a meeting today with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, reiterated the need for the European Commission to deliver, as soon as possible, the membership questionnaire and to grant candidate country status to Kosovo, reports KosovaPress.
In his meeting with the head of the European Commission, Kurti expressed gratitude for von der Leyen’s continuous engagement and support for Kosovo’s European path.
The discussion focused on deepening relations between Kosovo and the EU, the country’s reforms and progress in the rule of law and security, as well as democratic advancement and economic growth.
The Prime Minister also spoke about the local elections held last Sunday, emphasizing that they were free, democratic, and in line with the highest European standards. He underlined the importance of a smooth transition of power in municipalities where there will be changes in local governance, in full respect of the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Kosovo, as well as the government’s commitment to protecting democratic processes from any external interference.
To further strengthen economic cooperation within the “Single Market Highway” initiative, Kurti handed von der Leyen three official letters expressing Kosovo’s interest in launching a strategic dialogue in three key sectors — agriculture, information and communication technology (ICT), and the defense industry — areas where Kosovo sees comparative advantages and high development potential.
It should be noted that Kosovo applied for EU membership three years ago, marking the first step in a process that may take years. At the time, European Commission spokesperson Ana Pisonero stated that the EU supports Kosovo on its path toward membership.
“When it comes to membership applications, the procedures for submitting applications are defined by the EU Treaty,” Pisonero said.
Article 49 of the EU Treaty states that any European country that respects European values and is committed to promoting them may apply for membership in the European Union.
Kosovo remains the last country in the Western Balkans in the EU integration process.
