The European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, said during her visit to Kosovo's capital Pristina on Friday that the EU shared the position that the future of Kosovo lay in the European family of nations despite the fact that five EU members have still not recognised Kosovo as an independent state.
Speaking to reporters after meeting Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, Ashton said that Europe's youngest state was facing many reforms even though it had achieved a lot so far.
Ashton was on a tour of Southeast European countries during which she had visited Sarajevo and Belgrade. It was her first visit to Kosovo since she took office in December.
Kosovo belongs to Europe and this region is a high priority for me and for the EU, Ashton said, urging Kosovo to focus on the rule of law.
She said that an EU delegation would be visiting Kosovo about liberalisation of the visa regime for its citizens.
Ashton said she had come to Pristina to express her support to Kosovo in its effort to draw closer to the EU.
Thaci said he was pleased that Kosovo was on the EU agenda.
We will meet all the required criteria. On our path to the EU we need to be treated in the same way as our neighbours. We will continue to meet our commitments at all levels. We are building a democratic, multiethnic country, and soon we expect guidelines regarding liberalisation of the visa regime, Thaci said.
Ashton also visited the headquarters of the EU rule of law mission EULEX, where she held talks with EU officials in Kosovo.
