Successful implementation of the Stabilization Association Agreement will be determinant for the future of Kosovo towards the next step, gaining the status of the candidate for European Union membership. For successful implementation of the SAA, Kosovo needs to have strong institutions and a functional Assembly.

 At the Conference for public consultations on the draft of National Programme for SAA Implementation, the representative of the European Union in Kosovo, Samuel Zbogar, said that SAA is the first agreement between Kosovo and the EU, or the most comprehensive agreement that Kosovo ever signed for its European future.

“Strong institutions are necessary for implementation of the agreement. Kosovo needs proper functioning of institutions, institutions which provide also quality. Judicial institutions need to strengthen and this remains the main challenge, and within this context, the war against corruption and organized crime should strengthen and become more thriving.

SAA helps Kosovo to strengthen democracy and the rule of law and it contributes to the political stability. SAA is very important news for the citizens of Kosovo… It requires a functional Assembly where all deputies work in a safe manner and we want all the deputies to engage in a dialogue and on the power of argument in order to strengthen progress, proposals for economic development and progress of the country. We also need deputies who fight for ideas on how to improve the lives of Kosovo citizens,” Zbogar said.

 The German Ambassador, Angelika Viets, said that this will be the strategic guiding document for Kosovo during the years to come. According to her, the fact that Kosovo has already managed to prepare the national programme, demonstrates its pro-active commitment in this process.

“Also, the Assembly and the civil society should play their active role in this process of being a democratic state. The Assembly should engage on dialogue and discuss these issues. Both the Assembly and the civil society should make questions and join the dialogue with the government and they all should engage in this process,” she said.