With 86 votes in favor, the Assembly of Kosovo today ratified the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) with the European Union. The opposition MPs left the session before the voting process began as a sign of protest to the recent EU-brokered agreement with Serbia. The Assembly also approved the amendment to add the word Republic before the name of Kosovo in this document. Kosovo’s European Integration Minister, Bekim Collaku, said that as a result of this agreement, the fate of Kosovo will be more closely linked to the EU. He said the lack of opposition parties diminishes the achievement today, but according to him, time would prove who was right in this regard. Prime Minister Isa Mustafa, during the Assembly session today said that the ratification of the SAA is a very important event for Kosovo. Mustafa said that this process is very important in establishing the rule of law and economic development. "We should fulfill all the criteria that we have accepted with this agreement ... We will work together with all our citizens and our institutions," Mustafa said. He added that two more important issues remain for Kosovo to be fulfilled by the end of the year: Kosovo’s membership in UNESCO and the EU to set a date for visa liberalization for Kosovo.