Press release

UK welcomes Kosovo’s negotiations of EU Stabilisation & Association Agreement

The Foreign Secretary hailed today’s announcement of the opening of EU SAA talks with Kosovo as ‘the first major landmark on its EU track’.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government
Foreign Secretary William Hague and President Jahjaga of Kosovo

Foreign Secretary William Hague and President Jahjaga of Kosovo

The Foreign Secretary William Hague met President Jahjaga of Kosovo on 28 October.

Speaking after the meeting, the Foreign Secretary welcomed the opening of EU Stabilisation & Association Agreement negotiations with Kosovo:

I am delighted that Kosovo is starting its negotiations on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the EU today. The SAA will be a wide-ranging agreement between the EU and Kosovo, covering political, social and economic cooperation. As I told President Jahjaga this afternoon, this is a historic moment for Kosovo: the first major landmark on its EU track. We were pleased that Kosovo was able to meet the conditions for SAA negotiations this year. I hope Kosovo will tackle the issues identified in this year’s Progress Report with the same determination; progress on domestic reforms should bring benefits to all citizens across Kosovo.

The UK continues to stand firmly behind Kosovo on her path towards EU membership. I remain a long-standing supporter of enlargement of the EU, which will help deliver stability, security and prosperity for the Western Balkans.

Further information

Read more about the EU Stabilisation & Association Agreement

Visit the UK in Kosovo website

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Published 28 October 2013