Ashton: Kosovo’s future in EU

Catherine Ashton said that Kosovo has a European perspective even though all EU member-states have not recognized its independence. The EU Foreign and Security Policies Chief visit Kosovo after Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia. Ashton: Kosovo’s future in EU She said that Kosovo belongs in Europe and that the region of the Western Balkans is one of her chief priorities. Ashton spent her day in Kosovo meeting with EULEX officials, Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, and also visiting the Visoki Decani Serbian Orthodox Church monastery. The meeting with Thaci lasted an hour longer than scheduled, according to reports from local media. “The European Union is completely united in the belief that Kosovo's future is within the European Union,” she said. Ashton said that an EU team will be sent to Kosovo in the coming weeks to confirm the circumstances regarding Kosovo’s efforts to gain visa liberalization for free travel throughout Europe. Thaci said that his cabinet is dedicated to the full implementation of democratic criteria and all necessary processes for EU association. “I can tell you that Kosovo has a European status, and a European future. We will create better opportunities for traveling in parallel with other countries and people on the path of EU integration,” he said. Thaci said that his cabinet expects that Brussels will abolish the visa regime for Kosovo soon and that new trade cooperation will be confirmed. Catherine Ashton and Hashim Thaci (Beta)

Ashton: Kosovo’s future in EU

She said that Kosovo belongs in Europe and that the region of the Western Balkans is one of her chief priorities.

Ashton spent her day in Kosovo meeting with EULEX officials, Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, and also visiting the Visoki Dečani Serbian Orthodox Church monastery.

The meeting with Thaci lasted an hour longer than scheduled, according to reports from local media.

“The European Union is completely united in the belief that Kosovo's future is within the European Union,” she said.

Ashton said that an EU team will be sent to Kosovo in the coming weeks to confirm the circumstances regarding Kosovo’s efforts to gain visa liberalization for free travel throughout Europe.

Thaci said that his cabinet is dedicated to the full implementation of democratic criteria and all necessary processes for EU association.

“I can tell you that Kosovo has a European status, and a European future. We will create better opportunities for traveling in parallel with other countries and people on the path of EU integration,” he said.

Thaci said that his cabinet expects that Brussels will abolish the visa regime for Kosovo soon and that new trade cooperation will be confirmed.