Estonia Supports Kosovo’s Endeavours to Integrate With Europe

28.02.2012

No. 43-E

Yesterday in Brussels, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet met with Foreign Minister of Kosovo Enver Hoxhaj and Minister of European Integration of Kosovo Vlora Citaku and confirmed that Estonia is prepared to continue supporting Kosovo in both building up its country as well as in its international relations and European integration.

“We support Kosovo’s integration with the European Union,” stated Paet. “It is a long-term process that requires a focused and dedicated effort to carry out reforms,” noted the Estonian foreign minister.

Paet stated that Kosovo should also achieve a visa waiver with the European Union countries. “Currently Kosovo is the only country in the Western Balkans that does not have a visa waiver with the European Union,” he said.

“Kosovo’s serious contribution to talks with Serbia is essential, since the normalisation of relations between Serbia and Kosovo is of vital importance to the stability of the region,” Paet asserted. “Dialogue is the best way to resolve differences and avoid tensions,” he added.

Paet asserted that Estonia is seeing developments in its bilateral relations with Kosovo. “We consider supporting the development of Kosovo and contributing to the activities of the international forces in Kosovo to be important, and we remain ready to share our experiences from building up our country with Kosovo,” he stated. “In this regard, the democratic institutions functioning well and the implementation of the principles of rule of law are of key importance,” emphasised the Estonian foreign minister.

Yesterday in Brussels, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet also met with Greek Foreign Minister Stavros Dimas and signed a memorandum of mutual understanding for co-operation between the foreign ministries of Greece and Estonia.

Additional information:
Helen Ennok
Press spokesperson, Estonia’s Permanent Representation to the EU
+32 474 98 16 57

SPOKESPERSON’S OFFICE
+372 637 7654

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