Baerbock: Kosovo Has Done Its Part, Now the EU Should Do Its Part on Visa Liberalization

Annalena Baerbock (BETAPHOTO/HINA/FENA/Harun Muminovic)

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has said in Pristina that Kosovo has done its part regarding the liberalization of the visa regime and that now the European Union must do its part.

"As for the liberalization of the visa regime, in that regard Kosovo has done its job, now the EU must do its job. We also discussed the reforms launched by your government, the fight against corruption, in this way you have our full support," she said at a joint press conference with Kosovo Premier Albin Kurti late on March 10.

The German foreign minister again reiterated Germany's support to Kosovo and said that the Western Balkans would be put on the list of priorities. "We have agreed to put the Western Balkans on our list of priorities. We in the new federal government (of Germany) have for the first time decided to introduce the position of a special representative for the Western Balkans. Germany is the biggest investor and donor in Kosovo, we want to further expand these relations," said Baerbock.

She thanked the Kosovo government for imposing sanctions against Russia over the aggression against Ukraine. "I thank the government of Kosovo for solidarily joining the measures of the international community, which has shown that Kosovo belongs in Europe. We are and will remain your partner," stressed the German minister.

The Kosovo premier highlighted Germany's important contribution to the development of Kosovo. "More than half a million of our compatriots live in Germany. I thanked the minister for the visit at a difficult time, we talked about the political situation and challenges. I assured the minister that Kosovo is a stable partner of Germany and the European Union," Kurti underscored.