President of the Republic of Kosovo, Mrs. Atifete Jahjaga, took part today at a working breakfast, laid by the President of the Republic of Croatia, Mr. Ivo Josipovic, on the honour of Croatia’s accession into European Union. All Presidents of the countries of the western Balkan region were present at this working breakfast.
Croatian President Josipovic said that the aim of this meeting is that issues in the interest to the region are discussed in order to expedite the integration process of the whole Balkan region and to expand the cooperation among the countries of the region.
President Josipovic said that meeting of the Presiential level, an initiative of his and of the President of Slovenia, Mr. Borut Pahor, must be organised in the future as well in order to help and facilitate the European journey of the countries aspiring EU membership.
Madam President, during her address to the homologues at the breakfast laid by President Josipovic, began by congratulating President Josipovic on the historic success achieved by the accession of Republic of Croatia into European Union.
She also said the following:
I also congratulate you on your dedciation that you have continuousely shown and for the message that you are transmiting by gathering together the Presidents of the countries of the region in order to expand the cooperation between neighbours and to advance the EU integrative processes, as your first activity after your EU accession.
Enlargement policy of the European Union must continue, as it is the only alternative and aim for us, the countries which aspire this membership.
This initiative of yours and President Pahor’s will, on the regional plan, help the implementation of our aims, in order to once and for all leave behind disagreements and misunderstandings of the past, in order to look forward and to expand the cooperation between neighbours as basis for membership.
On the state level, initiatives like this one which aim for joint infrastructural projects, processes of building of understanding and substantial reforms, will contribute towards the improvement of the lives of our citizens.
As such, this initiative of yours has my support and I consider that it must be expanded to other levels in order to ensure an all inclusive cooperation and to achieve concrete success.
President Josipovic and President Pahor,
Not so long ago, your countries went through a transition similar to the one our countries are currently passing through, of internal consolidation and strengthening of the external subjectivity.
Slovenia and Croatia are the most successful histories of the region and this success will not end by this, because the European enlargement policy will only be considered successful if full integration and accession of all the countries of the region has been achieved.
It is your task to assume the leading role on the Europeanization policy of our countries. This is an added value for the European Union and it is our dedication to, by means of our work and with your help, we expedite this essential journey.
This is a very hopeful momentum for the region and for the European Union and we will continue to achieve our ambition of European integrations, and that through a continuous dialogue with each and every neighbouring country, we provide our contribution towards the stabilisation and democratisation of the region.