PRISTINA, June 18 /ATA/ At the summit of the six Western Balkan countries organized by the Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti stated that Kosovo and Serbia should make a joint declaration of peace carrying a commitment not to attack one another while the two countries should abide by reciprocity in terms of minority rights.
Kurti also said that Serbia should recognize Kosovo’s independence and face the past.
Kurti said that unlike March 17 last year, when we discussed virtually through the Zoom platform, this time they are physically gathered in Vienna at the Palace of the Federal Chancellery.
Kurti emphasized that Kosovo is managing well and successfully the COVID-19 pandemic.
“On average, we have less than one infected person per day per 100 thousand inhabitants and less than 10 active cases per 100 thousand inhabitants. The European Union should place Kosovo among the safest travel countries in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic. Kosovo has started reforms in justice and economy. Citizen trust in institutions is very high. Compared to last year, we have increased exports by 66%, economic activity (turnover) by 15%, and budget revenues by 30%. We need more investment, and Austrian companies are welcome and desired. Kosovo and Serbia should make a joint declaration of peace carrying a commitment not to attack one another while Serbia should recognize Kosovo’s independence and face the past, and Kosovo and Serbia should abide by reciprocity in terms of minority rights. Lift the visa regime for Kosovo so that our citizens can travel freely to EU countries, and the six countries of the Western Balkans pass from CEFTA to SEFTA (European Free Trade Agreement with Southeast Europe) following the example of EFTA-EEA, similar with what Liechtenstein, Norway and Iceland have with the EU”, said Kurti./p.s./
