Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has said he expects the European Commission’s upcoming report to reflect the progress Kosovo has achieved, stressing the importance of translating the country’s democratic development and European commitment into concrete steps toward EU membership.
Kurti met Ireland’s Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne, on the sidelines of the Berlin Process Leaders’ Summit, which is being held in Montenegro.
During the meeting, Kurti thanked Byrne for Ireland’s continued support for Kosovo and its contribution to the country’s security through the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR).
According to Kurti, more than 3,000 Irish military personnel have served in Kosovo since 1999, while over 1,000 Albanian refugees fleeing the war found shelter in Ireland.
In a Facebook post, Kurti said Kosovo was working with international partners to ensure that its democratic progress and commitment to European integration lead to tangible steps toward joining the European Union.
“We discussed the necessary advancement of Kosovo on this path. November is an important month, and we expect the European Commission’s report to reflect the progress achieved and for that progress to take concrete form through the receipt of the European Commission’s questionnaire,” Kurti said.
The meeting comes as Kosovo continues to pursue closer integration with the EU, with the European Commission’s assessment expected to be an important reference point for the country’s progress toward membership.
