The European Union-Kosovo Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee (SAPC) held its first meeting in Pristina (Kosovo) on the 16 and 17 May 2016. This committee was established following the entry into force of the stability and association agreement (SAA) with Kosovo on 1 April.
Joint proposal which once again welcomes the entry into force of the SAA and recommendations of the European Commission on the liberalisation of visas, but also calls on the authorities dfor further efforts in the fight against corruption and radicalisation, for freedom of the media and specially emphasises the continuation of the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia.
"I welcome the adoption of the Common rules of procedure and Joint proposal as a very balanced text, which will serve as a good basis for the continuation of the work of the Delegation of the European Parliament. I am especially pleased that opposition representatives participated ath the meetings during the whole visit", said MEP Tonino Picula.
"The European Parliament is intensely following developments in Kosovo. We always support you and we are also very critical about shortcomings in your country. I believe that in both - in our support and in our criticizing - we are more forward-going than any other European institution", said MEP Picula.
The Delegation met Kosovan president Hashim Thaçi, prime minister Isa Mustafa, deputy prime minister Branimir Stojanović, and minister for EU integration Bekim Çollaku. The delegation also held meetings with representatives from NGOs and civil society. Johannes Hahn, Commissioner for EU enlargement pointed out that Kosovo is on the right track, but needs to work on the priorities and the implementation of the SAA, with the assistance of Brussels.
"We - the Europeans, we are responsible for you. We are co-responsible for your successes and for your failures and therefore whatever will happen here in Pristina will leave a mark in Brussels. The Stabilisation and Association Agreement was an encouraging development. The Commission's decision to recommend the visa abolishment was the high time. The UEFA membership was a pure pleasure."
However, Picula stressed that the Kosovars still have to solve many problems: "We in the European Union are waiting for this and your citizens need it much more than us", concluded the President of the Delegation for Relations with BiH and Kosovo.