Von der Leyen: Electing the president is the next step, institutional stability is the foundation of the path toward the EU

During her stay in Kosovo, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the country was going through a crucial political period and called for institutional stability to be maintained and talks between the parties to continue.

At a press conference held after her meeting with Prime Minister Albin Kurti, von der Leyen also commented on the decision of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers, linking it to the individual responsibility of the defendants.

“The judgment was delivered by an independent judicial institution, and its mandate must be respected. The defense has the right to appeal, but one thing is clear: this judgment concerns the individual responsibility of the defendants. Kosovo’s resistance was not on trial,” she stressed.

She called on institutions and citizens to honor the memory of all victims and move forward toward reconciliation.

Turning to the political situation, the European Commission president described the establishment of the Assembly and the government as positive, adding that the president of Kosovo must now be elected.

“The Assembly and the government have been established, which is good. The next step is the election of the president,” she said.

According to her, cooperation between political entities is important, because there can be no reforms or economic development without institutional stability.

“Institutional stability is the foundation of everything for reforms, growth and progress on your path toward the EU,” she declared.

Von der Leyen reaffirmed the European Union’s support for Kosovo’s European path, but made it conditional on the implementation of reforms.

She announced that Kosovo could receive up to 882 million euros from the Growth Plan, while only 62 million euros has so far been disbursed as pre-financing.

“The Growth Plan can bring you closer to the single market, and you must seize this opportunity,” she said.

Kosovo’s institutions were urged to accelerate reforms and ensure full institutional functionality.

During her speech, she highlighted two areas where she expects further progress: the roaming process and the possible membership in SEPA.

“You now have an appointed chief negotiator, and we hope that negotiations will begin,” she said regarding the issue of roaming.

Regarding SEPA, von der Leyen said that the adoption of the relevant legislation would pave Kosovo’s way toward the Single Euro Payments Area.

According to her, SEPA could save businesses in the Western Balkans up to 500 million euros per year.

The European Commission president also addressed relations between communities, emphasizing the importance of building trust with the Serbian community.

“Kosovo’s European future depends on the society it builds. Kosovo must preserve its multi-ethnic character and build trust with the Serbian community,” she said.

She recalled several achievements from the year, such as the March 14 agreement and the agreement on missing persons.

During her visit to Kosovo, von der Leyen is also expected to go to the University of Pristina, where she will meet with students and visit facilities built with European Union funds.

“I believe in Kosovo’s European future,” she concluded.