General documents - Joint statement by Co-Chairs (Parliamentary Assembly of Kosovo) 10th Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee meeting, 16 March 2023 - Delegation for relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo

Following the 10th Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee Meeting, on 15-16 March 2023 in Strasbourg, Co-Chairs Romeo Franz (European Parliament) and Mimoza Kusari-Lila (Parliamentary Assembly of Kosovo) stated:

"On 15 and 16 March 2023, the EU-Kosovo Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee (SAPC), consisting of multiparty delegations of Members of the European Parliament and of the Assembly of Kosovo, held its 10th meeting in Strasbourg, in presence of Prime Minister Albin Kurti.

We had sincere and fruitful exchanges on all agenda items, including geopolitical considerations and our unwavering solidarity with Ukraine, achievements and challenges in the reform process, as well as the EU-facilitated Dialogue, protection of fundamental rights, including minority rights and media freedom.

The SAPC welcomed Kosovo's unwavering commitment to its European path. We reiterated the belief that the EU integration process brings about important transformative power and encourages democratic consolidation, long-term growth, socio-economic cohesion and institutional integrity. We reaffirmed our common belief that the EU is not complete without the Western Balkans, and underlined that a consistent approach to the enlargement process invigorates the European concept and EU's credibility, in contrast to the negative influence by third parties. In this context, the SAPC welcomed Kosovo's application for European Union membership, which proves a clear strategic choice in times of unprecedented geopolitical challenges, and reflects the staunchly pro-EU orientation of citizens and the consensus among political parties.

We welcomed the long-overdue agreement on legislation enabling EU visa liberalisation for citizens of Kosovo at the beginning of 2024 at the latest, which will facilitate travel, cultural and educational exchange as well as business activities.

We are looking forward to the next EU-Kosovo SAPC, which will take place in Pristina in the second half of this year."