Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Keit Pentus-Rosimannus is taking part in a meeting of Chairmen of Foreign Affairs Committees of EU National Parliaments in the Kosovan capital of Pristina today and tomorrow. The focus of the meeting will be on the future of the Balkan countries in Europe.

Pentus-Rosimannus will also have a bilateral meeting with the Kosovan Minister for Dialogue Edita Tahiri to affirm Estonia’s support for Kosovo’s accession to the EU.

“The whole Western Balkan region needs attention; and in light of the developments in the region, it also needs confirmation that the countries who align themselves with Europe will continue to receive support,” said Pentus-Rosimannus. “Estonia supports Kosovan aspirations towards EU integration, and is ready to share its reform experiences.”

Pentus-Rosimannus describes the objectives of the EU as promoting peace, stability, and economic development in the Western Balkans, and opening an accession perspective for the countries of the region. “We can support stability and development in Kosovo,” Pentus-Rosimannus said. “It is in our best interests to make sure that there is peace around the EU borders, and that the Russian influence there is not strengthening gradually.”

The meeting of Chairmen of Foreign Affairs Committees of EU National Parliaments in Kosovo will focus on the perspective of further enlargement of the EU, migrant crisis, cooperation among the Balkan countries, and fight against extremism and terrorism in the region.

The national independence of Kosovo has been recognised by all the EU Member States apart from Cyprus, Greece, Romania, Slovakia, and Spain. Among the countries of the region, Serbia as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina have not recognised Kosovo as an independent country.

Riigikogu Press Service
Epp-Mare Kukemelk
631 6356, 515 3903
[email protected]
Questions: [email protected]