Federica Mogherini, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Johannes Hahn, Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement negotiations hailed the formation of a new government in Kosovo and the end of political deadlock after inconclusive June 8 elections. Mogherini called for an urgent resumption of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, as Hahn urged the new government to resume European agenda as soon as possible.
“We welcome the formation of a new government in Kosovo and look forward to working with the new authorities in Pristina. Today’s constitutive session of the Assembly and election of the government ends the political deadlock that prevented progress in Kosovo following the general elections of 8 June 2014,” Mogherini and Hahn said in a joint statement.
“I am looking forward to working with the new government on Kosovo’s EU path as well as to the resumption of the high-level dialogue for the normalisation of relations between Pristina and Belgrade in the near future. Comprehensive normalisation is an ambition we share with both sides,” Mogherini said.
“The work must continue urgently, both through the full implementation of agreements already reached as well as by tackling new issues that still need to be addressed.
“I am ready to personally engage in order to make further progress in the normalisation of relations. It is also important that the new government continues cooperation with EULEX in the implementation of its revised mandate, including by proceeding with the necessary amendments of the legal framework, which will allow for the setting up of the Specialist Court,” she added.
Hahn said that the new government should also resume European reform agenda:
“It is essential that Kosovo’s new government gets to work on the many challenges it faces. Alongside with the resumption of the dialogue, the new government has to also resume its European reform agenda.
“I look forward to working with the new government to encourage and support Kosovo’s efforts on the rule of law, public administration reform and economic governance,” the commissioner said.
“There is also a lot of ground to cover to catch-up on preparations for the implementation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement that was initialled on 25 July. The European Commission is ready to support these efforts,” he added.
