Kosovo, for the first time a leader spoke in the plenary session of the European Parliament

Kosovo, for the first time a leader spoke in the plenary session of the European Parliament

A long passionate speech, he has touched on many points of contact between the European Union and the Balkan country that most supports EU membership, despite the recent tensions that put Pristina at the real risk of international sanctions. The President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, she spoke at plenary session of the European Parliament, first leader in the history of the young European state to address MEPs in the hemicycle in Strasbourg. “Today Kosovo is free, it is independent, it is a beacon of democracy”, Osmani opened his speech, speaking after encouragement from the president of the European Chamber, Robert Metsol: “I know his efforts for de-escalation and stability in the region.”

An intervention that began with the memory of the 1998 Sakharov Prize awarded by the EU Parliament to the first president of Kosovo, Ibrahim Rugova (before the country declared independence in 2008): “I want to thank you for the immeasurable and ongoing contribution this institution has made to our freedom, democracy and independence,” Osmani said, asking MEPs to “remain firmly at the side” of the country most favorable to the EU, with “More than 90 percent of our population expresses an uncompromising desire to become part of these institutions. Exactly six months ago Pristina applied to become a candidate country and our progress towards membership would serve as a catalyst for peace and reconciliation in a region where malign forces have historically and continue to sow divisions”.

As demonstrated by the entry of Slovenia and Croatia into the EU, or by Albania, North Macedonia and Montenegro into NATO, “the integration of our region is not only of primary importance, but also has strategic significance”.

For the president Ottomans, “It's time for courageous decisions, not half-baked steps, Kosovo and the democratic countries of the Western Balkans deserve better”. On the other hand “we will never deviate from our Euro-Atlantic path”, is the promise of the Kosovar leader.

Speaking of European integration, Kosovo's number one wanted to focus on the fact that the European Parliament “fought with us for the cause of visa liberalisation, until the decisive vote on 18 April: “It gave the bright and ambitious young people of my country the chance to prosper just like their peers across the Union ”. Cas recalled by the President of the European Chamber Metsola, "it has been a path full of obstacles, but together we can be proud that from January 2024, XNUMX there will be this freedom of movement". And then, just like the Twenty-Seven, the Kosovo is particularly close to Ukraine in its resistance struggle against the Russian army: “24 February 2022 was a dark day for Europe and for us it was a relived memory, which we hoped to never witness again”, the president pointed out Ottomans. Here because “we were the first country in our region to impose sanctions on Russia” and several initiatives have been carried out in support of Kiev: “From training Ukrainians in demining, from working to support survivors of sexual violence, to a dedicated program to support Ukrainian journalists to continue telling the truth.”

Regarding the tensions in Northern KosovoPeter Stano, spokesperson for the EU High Representative, Josep Borrell, says  "Despite our repeated appeals, Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has so far failed to take decisive steps to reduce tensions” in the north of Kosovo.

“The five-point plan set out in the letter to the EU High Representative, Josep Borrell, does not adequately address some of the fundamental elements that caused the latest crisis.
While diplomatic work continues, the EU has prepared proposals for measures with immediate effect.", specifying that these measures do not however represent sanctions against Kosovo.