Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has called for progress in the country’s path towards EU membership, stressing that the process of obtaining candidate status and opening accession negotiations should not face further delays.

On the sidelines of the European Political Community Summit in Dublin, Kurti met representatives of the Irish Parliament’s Committee on European Union Affairs. They discussed Kosovo’s application for EU candidate status.

The meeting was attended by Committee Chair Barry Ward, member Rúairí Ó Murchú, Secretary Ivan Farmer and Frank Smyth, Director for Enlargement and the South-East Europe Unit.

During the meeting, Kurti stressed that the Council of the EU should ask the European Commission to deliver its opinion on Kosovo’s application, submitted in December 2022.

“It is essential that the Council requests the Commission’s opinion on the application submitted in December 2022,” Kurti said.

He added that the process itself was just as important as reaching the final goal. By implementing reforms, Kosovo can make progress towards European integration while also improving citizens’ lives and strengthening state institutions.

Kosovo applied for EU candidate status in December 2022. However, the European Commission has not yet started its formal assessment of the application.

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