Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani said her country needs a credible European Union roadmap for the region’s future as a member of the European family.
His comments were delivered at a formal session in Strasbourg, addressed to the European Parliament, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
Osmani said Kosovo and its people continue to look to the future, a European future, calling for stronger regional cooperation.
“We have reached out to all of our neighbors and we have done so in large part because our people deserve a better future. To Serbs living in Kosovo, she stressed that Kosovo is your home. And we will do everything in our power to ensure that you feel protected, included, equal and heard,” she pointed out.
The President of Kosovo stressed that her country wanted lasting and just peace and stability in terms of sovereignty, territorial integrity as well as neighborhood relations.
Furthermore, Osmani said that the Balkan country is an integral part of Europe, emphasizing that the time has come for the Republic of Kosovo to make significant progress on the path to joining the European Union.
She said her country’s progress towards EU membership will serve as a catalyst for peace in this region.
“The lack of integration of democratic Western Balkan countries into the EU poses a major threat to the security of all of Europe, as it leaves the region vulnerable to threats and malicious actors. The integration of our region is not only of great importance but also of strategic importance,” she stressed, as reported by Telegrafi.
Osmani noted that Kosovo’s well-deserved place in the European Union family will strengthen the very foundations on which the bloc was built and will also strengthen the continent through greater unity.
The President of the Republic of Kosovo began her speech with the words of the former President of Kosovo, Ibrahim Rugova, “Freedom, independence and democracy”, becoming the first President of Kosovo to speak before the European Parliament since the independence of Kosovo in 2008.
Osmani said that “in our DNA” European values as well as the spirit of the European Union are anchored, emphasizing that these values have shaped Kosovo’s past, inspire the country in the present and also guide Kosovo towards a future where this territory flourishes as a beacon of prosperity. European ideals.
Furthermore, she also mentioned her country’s commitment to the rule of law and justice as well as the fight against crime and corruption while strengthening transparency.
As part of the efforts become a member of the European Union on December 14 last year, Kosovo has officially submitted its application to join the bloc.