Tirana, October 31 – Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti met Bruno Fuchs, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the French National Assembly, during the Paris Peace Forum. The meeting focused on strengthening relations between Kosova and France.

Kurti said Kosova must complete the remaining steps for membership in the Council of Europe. He stressed that the moment has come for the country’s application to be evaluated and for Kosova to gain candidate status.

Kosova applied to the Council of Europe in 2022. On April 16, 2024, the Parliamentary Assembly backed the report by Dora Bakoyannis that recommended membership. However, the issue did not enter the agenda of the Committee of Ministers in May 2024.

Meanwhile, Kurti called for full removal of EU measures against Kosova. He said the gradual lifting has started, more than a year after Josep Borrell recommended their removal.

The EU imposed measures in 2023. They included suspension of Stabilization and Association Agreement working groups, exclusion from high-level meetings, freezing of bilateral visits, and delay of funds. Kosova also missed out on €2.1 billion in EU grants approved in July 2023.

Earlier this year, EU High Representative Kaja Kallas visited Prishtina. She said the EU had started lifting the measures gradually but did not provide details. Reports indicate the first removals involve the SAA framework and the Western Balkans Investment Framework.

/a.p./