Zulfaj in Prague: Kosovo seeks to advance its EU application and obtain candidate status

Kosovo’s chief negotiator with the European Union, Jeton Zulfaj, stayed in Prague to discuss the progress of Kosovo’s application for EU membership and the steps that need to be taken to obtain candidate status.

The visit took place ahead of the fourth anniversary of Kosovo’s submission of its application for membership in the European Union, on December 15, 2022, in Prague, during the Czech presidency of the Council of the EU.

According to a statement from the ministry, Zulfaj was accompanied by Ambassador Albesjana Iberhysaj Kapitaj and held meetings with representatives of Czech institutions, as well as with figures who have experience in the European integration process.

During his stay in Prague, he met with Edita Hrda, the Czech government’s envoy for the Balkans, and Tomas Szunyog, the former head of the European Union Office in Kosovo. At the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Zulfaj held talks with Hana Hubackova, director-general of the Europe Section, and also met with Ondrej Matoušek from the Czech Government Office and Pavel Telicka, the Czech Republic’s former chief negotiator for accession to the European Union.

The visit’s agenda also included separate meetings in the Czech Senate with Pavel Fischer, chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security, and Jan Schiller, chairman of the Committee on European Affairs.

The talks focused on advancing Kosovo’s request for EU membership and the possibility of a more active role for the Czech Republic in this process. The focus also included Czech experience in accession negotiations, strengthening parliamentary cooperation and regional security.

During the meetings, Zulfaj praised the Czech Republic’s continued support for Kosovo, particularly its contribution during the presidency of the Council of the EU in 2022. He also expressed gratitude for the more than 8,000 soldiers and personnel from the Czech Republic who have served in Kosovo, helping to maintain security and peace in Kosovo and the region.

On December 15, 2022, in Prague, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, submitted the country’s application for membership in the European Union. According to the ministry, this development marked an important step toward Kosovo’s European integration and created a special connection between Kosovo, the Czech Republic and the city of Prague.

“Prague, where Kosovo submitted its application for EU membership, remains closely linked to this process,” the ministry’s statement said.