Kosovo’s chief negotiator with the European Union, Jeton Zulfaj, has thanked Slovenia’s Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Tone Kajzer, for organizing a working breakfast with representatives of the six Western Balkan countries during the Bled Forum in Slovenia.
Zulfaj said the meeting provided an opportunity to present Kosovo’s priorities regarding its bid to advance its candidate status and open accession negotiations with the European Union.
“Regional cooperation and good-neighborly relations are a necessity,” Zulfaj said, emphasizing their importance for improving the mobility and connectivity of citizens and encouraging young people to build their future in the region rather than leave.
He also argued that EU enlargement has become more important amid the war on the continent, stressing that countries that share the EU’s values, advance democracy, align their foreign and security policies with the bloc’s Common Foreign and Security Policy and strengthen the rule of law should be able to move forward in the accession process.
“The European Union was built as a peace project. With war on the continent, enlargement matters more than ever,” Zulfaj wrote.
According to Zulfaj, advancing enlargement is also in the EU’s own interest and represents a shared responsibility for all member states, regardless of their size.
He reiterated Kosovo’s commitment to the EU accession process, saying that the process itself contributes to strengthening the country.
The Kosovo official also highlighted the importance of regional cooperation and good relations with neighboring countries, particularly in improving connectivity and creating opportunities for young people.
“Regional cooperation and good-neighborly relations are a necessity. They enable the mobility and connectivity of our citizens and keep our young people building their future in our region, rather than leaving it,” he said.
Zulfaj concluded by expressing Kosovo’s readiness to work with Slovenia to advance the country’s path toward EU membership.
