Eurasia Press & News
The president of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, has said that the fight against corruption and organised crime is one of the main priorities for Kosovo’s development.
Van Rompuy met with Kosovo’s President Fatmir Sejdiu, Prime Minister Hashim Thaci and parliament speaker Jakup Krasniqi during his visit on Tuesday.
He told Kosovo leaders that the EU is strongly committed to helping Kosovo move forward towards its European aspirations.
“All 27 EU member states have agreed to the EULEX settlement in Kosovo. They have supported Kosovo’s economic development and the EU is 100 per cent agreed that the future of the whole region is inside the European Union,” Van Rompuy told Kosovo leaders.
“The fight against crime and corruption is one of the most important priorities and that should be a coordinated effort led by the authorities,” Kosovo’s president’s press release cited Van Rompuy as saying.
President Sejdiu stressed that the Kosovo’s achievements are a result of the deep cooperation and support from the EU for Kosovo.
“Our vision is integration into the European Union and NATO and we expect your further support,” President Sejdiu said.
Van Rompuy also met EU Special Representative Pieter Feith and the deputy head of the EU rule of law mission in Kosovo (EULEX), Roy Reeve.
“Let me take this opportunity to express my appreciation and support for the work of EULEX and also the work of other EU bodies here in Kosovo,” Van Rompuy said at the press conference.
He stressed that the EU presence in Kosovo is crucial for the development of Kosovo and its European integration and praised the work of EULEX.
“The EULEX mission has achieved good results. Its activities reflect the EU’s strong commitment to the fight against organised crime and corruption,” he added.
“As president of the European Council, the body that gathers the leaders of the member states, I take pride in your achievements. You are doing valuable and very important work, sometimes under very difficult circumstances,” Van Rompuy said.
Van Rompuy arrived in Kosovo after stops in Slovenia, Croatia and Serbia as part of his tour through the Balkans.
