Haxhiu after meeting with Von der Leyen: I asked for Kosovo’s EU application to be reviewed

Kosovo’s acting President, Albulena Haxhiu, today received the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.

During the meeting, according to the Presidency’s announcement, they discussed political developments in the country and the need to elect a president within the remaining deadline.

Haxhiu also expressed her concern, and that of Kosovo’s citizens, over the verdict of the Specialist Chambers in The Hague against the former KLA leaders.

“I underlined that Kosovo’s institutions will continue to support the defense teams of Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi in the appeals process,” Haxhiu said.

She announced that the institutions will work on drafting a joint state strategy, in coordination with the defense teams and experts.

“We will work on drafting a joint state strategy, coordinating our actions with the defense teams and experts, so that our support serves them as well as possible in this process,” Haxhiu stated.

The meeting also discussed Kosovo’s European integration process. Haxhiu asked the European Union to review Kosovo’s membership application, submitted on 14 December 2022, and also asked for Von der Leyen’s direct engagement in this process.

“I also discussed the implementation of the Growth Plan and the reforms ahead of us. Kosovo has submitted its Reform Agenda, has ratified the relevant agreements and has begun to benefit from pre-financing,” Haxhiu said.