PRISTINA – “There is an important window of opportunity ahead of us,” said the new EU ambassador to Kosovo, Dirk Schübel , who officially took office today as head of the EU Office and EU Special Representative for Kosovo, it was reported by KoSSev. info.
At the beginning of his mandate, he put the rapid formation of institutions, European reforms and the continuation of the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue to the fore, with the message that Kosovo should use the funds from the Growth Plan and the upcoming IPA funds.
In his first message after taking office, he said that he expected cooperation with institutions, political actors, civil society, media and all communities.
“I look forward to working with Kosovo’s institutions, political actors, civil society, media and all communities to help multi-ethnic Kosovo move forward on the path of EU integration, on an equal footing with all other Western Balkan partners,” Dirk Schübel said.
He stressed that he would support Kosovo’s European future, but also that rapprochement with the European Union requires engagement wider than government institutions.
“I will support Kosovo’s European future. Working towards it requires an effort by the whole society and a shared commitment to making EU integration a priority across political divisions”, he remarked.
Among the priorities of the new EU ambassador will be the Dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, the article notes.
“I will also support Kosovo’s constructive engagement in the Dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina with the mediation of the EU and progress towards the normalization of relations, in close cooperation with the EU Special Representative for Dialogue”, Schübel said.
The new ambassador also thanked Kosovo for its voluntary alignment with the EU’s common foreign and security policy.
He reminded that since 1999 the EU has provided Kosovo with more than 3.7 billion euros in aid, from the reconstruction and construction of institutions and the rule of law, to economic development and youth programs.
“Together we can turn Kosovo’s European aspirations into tangible progress for all its citizens,” he said.
At a time of prolonged institutional crisis, he also called for the rapid formation of institutions so that the EU can fully co-operate with Kosovo and make available the envisaged assistance.
“There is a window of opportunity in front of us. For the benefit of all its citizens, Kosovo needs functional institutions capable of implementing the necessary reforms and making full use of the EU’s Growth Plan and significant upcoming IPA funds. To take advantage of these opportunities, he added, “political responsibility, effective institutions and a clear focus on reforms and the European integration agenda”, Dirk Schübel stated.
As EU ambassador, Schübel will provide EU advice and support in political processes, coordinate the EU’s overall political action in Kosovo and oversee cooperation with institutions, including reforms related to the European path, KoSSev.info stresses.
