The EU Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn, today while addressing the Kosovo Assembly MPs said the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) is a great achievement and crucial for Kosovo on its path towards the EU. This agreement, Hahn said, aims to political dialogue and support for Kosovo to improve international cooperation. “It offers the possibility of cooperation in combating organized crime and corruption, and will consolidate the implementation of the law and the administration of justice. The agreement is also a driver for economic development and the creation of new jobs. The next challenge will be the implementation of the SAA which includes everyone starting from Kosovo institutions, businesses and civil society,” Hahn said.
Speaking about the effect of the SAA on improving regional cooperation, Hahn said that Kosovo needs to implement the agreements that have been reached with Serbia and should continue into new agreements. “This includes difficult decisions and takes courage. In recent years, Kosovo has demonstrated that it can succeed this challenge and meet the standards by understanding that the dialogue is in the interest of Kosovo and its citizens.”
While speaking about the recent political crisis in Kosovo, he said that that everyone should respect the institutions that were created by the free vote. “Obstruction and violence have no place in democratic institutions. Those who were elected by the citizens should express their opinions through vote in the Assembly,” Hahn said.
In regards to visa liberalization, Hahn said that Kosovo’s progress towards visa liberalization is being assessed, while quoting the relevant Commissioner as saying that “Kosovo is walking the last mile towards visa liberalization.”
