Representatives of Six Western Balkan Countries, Including Kosovo and Serbia, Meet in Slovenia

Kosovo’s chief negotiator for dialogue with the European Union, Jeton Zulfaj, took part in the Bled Forum, where he thanked Slovenia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Affairs, Tone Kajzer, for organizing a working breakfast with representatives of the six Western Balkan countries.

According to Zulfaj, the meeting provided an opportunity to present Kosovo’s priorities regarding the advancement of its status as a candidate country and the launch of membership negotiations with the European Union.

He emphasized that the European Union was created as a peace project and that, amid war on the continent, the enlargement process is more important than ever.

Zulfaj said that countries sharing the EU’s values, strengthening democracy, aligning their foreign and security policies with the European Union’s CFSP, and consolidating the rule-of-law institutions should continue moving forward in the integration process.

“This is in the interest of the European Union itself and constitutes a shared responsibility for every member state, regardless of whether it is large or small,” he wrote.

According to the chief negotiator, Kosovo remains committed to the membership process, as this process contributes to the country’s improvement.

“Regional cooperation and good-neighborly relations are essential. They facilitate movement and connections among our citizens, while giving young people the opportunity to build their future in the region instead of leaving it,” Zulfaj stated.

He added that Kosovo expects to cooperate with Slovenia to advance its membership process with the European Union.