Following a meeting on the SAA between Albania and the European Union, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission Federica Mogherini pointed out in a press conference the importance of cooperation between the European Union and the Western Balkans.
“From the beginning of our mandate we have been determined – and personally I have been determined – to give priority to strengthening cooperation and partnership between the European Union and all the Western Balkans. I firmly believe that the increased engagement in 2018 between the Western Balkans and the European Union – done for example through the Western Balkans Strategy as well as the Sofia Summit – is in our shared interest; it is in the interest of the Balkans; it is in the interest of the European Union; which means that it is in the interest of all of us Europeans,” Mogherini said.
Answering a question, she said that she expected the authorities in Pristina to revoke the 10% tax on imported goods from Serbia.
Also, she said she expected the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina to continue.
Mogherini said she appreciated Tirana’s attitude to first of all see the contents of the agreement between Serbia and Kosovo* before endorsing it.
“I appreciate personally and I think the parties appreciate the support that Albania has given to this complicated facilitation process. Albania is an important player in the region. And I think this attitude of first of all seeing if and what an agreement could contain before endorsing it, is the wise approach to be taken,” Mogherini said.
