MP: Estonia supports Kosovan aspirations towards EU integration
All of the Western Balkans needed attention, and those countries who aligned themselves with the European Union needed confirmation that they would continue to receive the union’s support, MP Keit Pentus-Rosimannus (Reform) said in the Kosovan capital of Pristina on Monday.
Pentus-Rosimannus is participating in a meeting of representatives of the foreign affairs committees of the various parliaments in the European Union. She will also have a bilateral meeting with Kosovan Minister for Dialogue Edita Tahiri to affirm Estonia’s support of Kosovo’s accession to the EU.
“The whole Western Balkan region needs attention; and in light of the developments in the region, it also needs confirmation that the countries who align themselves with Europe will continue to receive support,” said Pentus-Rosimannus. “Estonia supports Kosovan aspirations towards EU integration, and is ready to share its reform experiences.”
Pentus-Rosimannus described the objectives of the EU in the area as promoting peace, stability, supporting economic development in the Western Balkans, and opening an accession perspective for the countries of the region. “We can support stability and development in Kosovo,” Pentus-Rosimannus said, suggesting that this was what it took to keep the gradual increase of Russian influence in these areas at bay.
The meeting of the chairpersons of foreign affairs committees of the union’s national parliaments is focusing on the perspective of further enlargement of the EU, the migration crisis, cooperation among the Balkan countries, and the fight against extremism and terrorism in the region.
The national independence of Kosovo has been recognised by all EU member states with the exception of Cyprus, Greece, Romania, Slovakia, and Spain. Among the countries of the region, Serbia as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina have not recognised Kosovo as an independent country.
Editor: Dario Cavegn