Kosovo's president announces that she will apply for EU membership before the end of the year

BRUSELAS, 6 Dic. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, announced on Tuesday from Albania, where the meeting between leaders of the European Union and the Balkans is being held, that Pristina will formalize its application to join the bloc before the end of the year.

In statements before the EU-Balkans summit this Tuesday in Tirana, the Kosovar president has reaffirmed Pristina's intention to request its entry into the community club before 2023. "I will announce in front of the EU leaders that Kosovo will send its application for their accession to the EU before the end of the year and we look forward to the full support of the Member States", he assured.

Osmani has insisted that the territory, which declared its independence from Serbia in 2008, has a firm commitment to the EU and its values, making clear its total alignment with the bloc's foreign policy, in a veiled attack on Belgrade, which was not has added to the European sanctions against Moscow for the war in Ukraine.

The fact that Kosovo's independence is not recognized by five member states, including Spain, has complicated the debate on its European integration over the years. Although steps are being taken, such as the exemption from visas for Kosovar citizens, recently agreed by the Twenty-seven and pending a final agreement, the community's expectations of Kosovo are linked to the progress in the dialogue with Serbia facilitated by the EU and which is seeking an agreement binding and accepted by both parties to normalize their relations.