Kosovo wants EU to speed up membership process

By Talha Ozturk

BELGRADE, Serbia

Kosovo's Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj on Friday demanded the European Union speed up his country's membership process.

"Kosovo's membership in all international organizations should be made without hindrance," said Haradinaj according to a statement issued by his office.

His's remarks came after a meeting with the EU’s foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini at a second gathering of the Stabilization and Association Council between Kosovo and the EU.

The Stabilization and Association Agreement, the deal considered the first important step in Kosovo's EU integration process, was signed in October 2015 but came into force in 2016.

Kosovo -- a former Serbian province -- declared independence in 2008, since then it has sought to be member of international organizations such as the EU, NATO, UNESCO and the International Olympic Committee.

Haradinaj also said he expects to gain candidate status for EU membership by 2018.

"Kosovo is committed and working on reforms in the field of [the] rule of law, economic development, education and health and aims to achieve candidate status for EU membership by the end of 2018," said Haradinaj.

He added that Kosovo fulfilled its obligations for visa liberation, but remains the only country in Europe without visa liberalization from the EU.

"Kosovo has remained the last and only country in Europe without freedom of movement. The acceleration of this process would help the citizens and the country.

"Kosovo has fulfilled its obligations in this process," said Haradinaj.

The small Balkan country is recognized by over 100 states, including the U.S, the U.K, France, Germany and Turkey.

However, its ties with Serbia -- another EU hopeful -- remain strained over the issue of recognition.

Kosovo's independence has not been recognized by Serbia, or five out of 28 EU member states.

Belgrade insists the territory is still part of Serbia.

In 2011 a Serbia-Kosovo dialogue was initiated by the EU, as it believes Serbian recognition of Kosovo should be the ultimate goal of negotiations.

Since then, negotiation teams from both states have been holding talks in Brussels.