Visiting Pristina today (19.02.2014), during his tour of Western Balkan capitals, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos met with the Prime Minister of Kosovo Hashim Thaçi. 

 

In joint statements following their meeting, Venizelos stressed inter alia that:

 

- On the level of my European mission, my capacity as the representative of the Council, let me state that it is a great opportunity for me, always within the framework of the Conclusions of the Council of last December, to underline our support for stronger ties between the E.U. and Kosovo. 

 

- Kosovo has a clear European perspective, in line with the European perspective of the entire Western Balkan region.  The strengthening of EU-Kosovo relations and the promotion of the social and economic development of Kosovo are important for the wider Balkan region. 

 

- The conclusion of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the EU and Kosovo, which will hopefully take place during this year, will be a milestone for the European integration of both Kosovo and the entire region. 

 

- Our clear message is that reforms, good neighbourly relations, and strengthening of the rule of law promote stability and the economic development of the region and pave the way to Europe. 

 

- So my message is: “Stay on the right track, keep on working for your European and Euroatlantic future, and we will stand by your side”.

 

Read below the joint statements by Thaçi and Venizelos.