Costa meets with Kurti: Normalization through Dialogue key to Kosovo’s progress toward the EU

President of the European Council António Costa met today in Pristina with Kosovo’s acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti.

During the talks, Costa emphasized the importance of Kosovo engaging in the normalization of relations through constructive dialogue in order to advance on its European path, according to a statement by the EU Office in Pristina on Facebook.

According to a press release from the Kosovo government, Kurti told Costa that Kosovo is “European in values, history, and culture” and is fully committed to becoming an EU member state.

He asked Costa to become more actively involved in sending the EU questionnaire and in granting Kosovo candidate status, and called for the “full and immediate lifting of EU restrictive measures.”

Kurti stated that Kosovo has made the most progress in the rule of law, the fight against corruption, the establishment of order and security, and that it has the fastest-growing economy in the region. He added that Kosovo was the first to submit its Reform Agenda under the EU Growth Plan and has made progress in implementing reforms.

He reiterated claims that threats to the region come from Serbia, holding it responsible for the attack in Banjska in September 2023, and criticized Belgrade’s ties with Russia. He also demanded that Milan Radoicic be handed over to Kosovo’s judicial authorities.

The statement further notes that Kurti expressed concern over the violation of the rights of Albanians in Presevo, Bujanovac, and Medvedja, claiming they are “underrepresented in public institutions, discriminated against in employment, and that their rights are continuously ignored.”

Before his meeting with Kurti, Costa also met with Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani. In their joint press conference, he stated that Kosovo has its place in the European Union but must fulfill its obligations under the dialogue with Serbia.