Zulfaj asks in Brussels for Kosovo’s advancement to EU candidate country status

In Brussels, Kosovo’s chief negotiator with the European Union, Jeton Zulfaj, met with around 30 diplomats from the permanent missions of member states, the European Commission and the European External Action Service.

Before them, Zulfaj presented Kosovo’s progress towards European integration and requested that the country move from the status of potential candidate to that of a candidate country for EU membership.

He expressed gratitude for the continued support that the represented states have given Kosovo and reaffirmed the Government’s and institutions’ commitment to implementing the Reform Agenda.

The diplomats discussed Kosovo’s achievements, obstacles in the integration process and the prospect of membership in the European Union. According to Zulfaj, Kosovo’s designation as a potential candidate does not properly reflect its progress, especially compared to other countries in the region.

Zulfaj also referred to the country’s results in international indices on democracy and economic development. He asked that these results be taken into account in advancing relations between Kosovo and the EU.

Also present at the meeting was Ambassador Agron Bajrami, Kosovo’s chief negotiator in the technical dialogue on the normalization of relations with Serbia and head of the Diplomatic Mission of the Republic of Kosovo in Brussels.

Kosovo aims for its achievements in reforms and progress so far to bring concrete steps towards full integration into Europe.