European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele asked the Kosovo authorities in Pristina on Friday to meet the commitments from the latest progress report and step up reforms so as to make headway in joining the European Union.
I have come to Pristina to say that Kosovo has a European future and we will help it on the road to the EU, Barroso told the press, adding that he asked the authorities to carry out the reform requirements.
He called for strengthening the rule of law and the fight against corruption in order to step up Kosovo's progress to EU membership.
Brussels expects much more of Pristina and this should be reflected in the next progress report in November, he said.
In talks with senior Kosovo officials, Barroso reiterated the support he voiced in Belgrade yesterday for the Kosovo-Serbian dialogue on technical issues that is being conducted under the EU's auspices. He called on Kosovo to be constructive in the dialogue.
After the talks with Barroso and Fuele, Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga and Prime Minister Hashim Thaci expressed willingness and commitment to meet all EU requirements.
Barroso and other EU officials also visited the newly-established, mostly Serb-populated municipality of Gracanica near Pristina. He commended the progress in Gracanica and Kosovo, reiterating that a European future was important not only for Kosovo but for the entire region.
It is important to show the spirit of reconciliation and real progress in relations between the communities in Kosovo. The European prospect of this country and this region is very important, especially in achieving trust among the different communities, as good relations in the entire region depend on that, said Barroso.
He and Fuele came to Pristina from Belgrade. They were on a regional tour which began in early April with visits to Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro and Macedonia.
