The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi received today the European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy, Johannes Hahn.

Thaçi thanked Commissioner Hahn for his visit to the Republic of Kosovo, for his support for the Stabilisation and Association Process, but also for the recommendation for visa liberalization for Kosovo.

“We will carry out all our obligations for the swift implementation of visa liberalization, to conclude this process with a complete success. The recommendation is not a gift for Kosovo, it is a well-deserved outcome after the implementation of all necessary democratic criteria”, President Thaçi said.

President Thaçi said that Kosovo is a stable country with stable institutions, it embraces internal communication and dialogue between Kosovan political spectrum. He added that the country is undergoing a new phase of dialogue with Serbia, as a process that will lead to full Europeanization of the region.

Meanwhile, the European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy, Johannes Hahn said that he is paying this visit to Kosovo to utilize, together with the Kosovo authorities, this European momentum gained over the last couple of months.

“I think that the positive report on visa liberalization, but also the fact that the Stabilization Association Agreement entered into force, means that there are a lot of opportunities. Now it is time to see how we can use these opportunities, in particular boosting the economy”, Commissioner Hahn said.

Commissioner Hahn said that it is important to fulfil the two remaining benchmarks in order to get visa liberalization adopted, stressing that he considers that this should be achievable, because it is in the interest of the country. He added that is not only about visa liberalization as such, but it is also among the first steps for the further European perspective of the country.

“It is very important to solve the problems which are there, as soon as possible, in order to be focused on every capacity towards the further development of the country, to tackle unemployment, especially among youth in the country”, Commissioner Hahn said.

President Thaçi thanked Commissioner Hahn for the messages he conveyed today to the whole political spectrum, Kosovan society and all state institutions.

He said that we have a common goal, common vision – the European perspective of Kosovo.

“Together we will achieve all our objectives”, President Thaçi concluded.