Federica Mogherini, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of European Commission, met today with Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi to discuss the developments in EU-Kosovo relations and the significant progress made over the past months in particular. In the discussion, they agreed that a swift and thorough implementation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, the first contractual relation between Kosovo and the EU, is crucial as it will help Kosovo to improve its socio-economic situation.
HRVP Mogherini and the President also welcomed the recent extension of the mandate of EULEX by the Assembly of Kosovo. They touched upon the visa liberalisation for the people of Kosovo and the EU’s willingness to proceed, while Kosovo needs to continue to fulfil the commitments made in this context.
Furthermore, HRVP Mogherini and President Thaçi discussed the EU-facilitated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina. Welcoming the commitment of Kosovo to the dialogue, HRVP stressed that a visible and sustainable improvement in relations between Kosovo and Serbia is needed so that normalisation of relations can take deeper roots and that both can continue on their respective European paths. In this context it is of paramount importance that all past dialogue agreements are implemented fully and in good faith by both sides.
*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
