Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosova, Albin Kurti, has declared that the country is ready to begin negotiations for accession to the EU.

Speaking at the VI Ministerial Council Meeting for European Integration, discussions are underway regarding the country’s preparation within the framework of the European Union Enlargement Growth Plan for the Western Balkans and the key reforms of the National Program for European Integration 2024-2028, Kurti stated that accession should be based on meritocracy.

“We believe that EU accession should be based on meritocracy. We are ready to answer the thousands of questions that the EU may have to start this process. We are ready to start accession negotiations and believe that we have worked hard to initiate this process. We have fulfilled many criteria. The EU enlargement plan has two objectives, accelerating economic development in the Western Balkans and speeding up the accession process to the EU,” said Kurti.

Kurti highlighted that the EU’s punitive measures against Kosova are still in place, and according to him, these measures contradict the Union’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.

“The measures still in force against Kosova clash with the EU’s growth plan for the Western Balkans,” Kurti was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, the First Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration, Development, and Dialogue, Besnik Bislimi, speaking about the key reforms of the National Program for European Integration, stated that they expect to fulfill 50 required measures by June.

“Kosova’s Reform Plan within the EU’s New Economic Growth Plan in the Western Balkans focuses on four areas, governance, public administration reform and public finance management, green and digital transition, private sector development, business environment, and human capital,” said Bislimi.

/a.p./