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European Parliament European Parliament 2014-2019 Delegation to the EU-Kosovo Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee DRAFT MINUTES of the 4th meeting of the EU-KOSOVO STABILISATION AND ASSOCIATION PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE Strasbourg, 17-18 January 2018 The meeting began on 17 January, at 15:00 with the opening remarks by Mr PICULA, Chairman of the EP's Delegation for relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo. Mr PICULA welcomed distinguished guests Mr Behgjet PACOLLI, First Deputy Prime minister and Foreign Minister of the Republic of Kosovo on behalf of Government of Kosovo, Mr David CULLEN, Head of Unit for the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Kosovo, DG NEAR, on behalf of the European Commission and Mr Eduard AUER, Head of Division 'Western Balkans' on behalf of the European External Action Service. In his opening speech, Mr PICULA noted the year of 2018 as being a year of chances for the Western Balkans. Mr PICULA mentioned the parliamentary elections and local elections in Kosovo and welcomed the new co-chair of the delegation, Mr Memli KRASNIQI, and the other new members of the delegation. Mr PICULA expressed concern regarding recent events in Kosovo and specifically mentioned the attempt to repeal the law on Specialist Chambers. Repealing or amending the law would adversely affect Kosovo-EU relations and be an obstacle to reconciliation in Kosovo. Mr PICULA expressed shock and condemnation of the murder of Mr Oliver IVANOVIĆ and extended condolences to his family. He hoped that the event will not be instrumentalised and that all Kosovo politicians will assume their responsibility for calming tensions. Lastly Mr PICULA expressed hope that 2018 will bring tangible progress on several long-standing issues. In his opening speech, Mr KRASNIQI remarked that he hoped that the year 2018 will be a year of real chances. Mr KRASNIQI stated that there are a lot of work and progress needed for Kosovo but that he hoped for the necessary support from partners and friends. 1. Adoption of the draft agenda The agenda was adopted without changes, as in the draft document. \EN.doc EN 2. Adoption of the draft minutes of the 3rd EU-Kosovo SAPC meeting The minutes were adopted without amendments, as in the draft document. 3. State of play of EU-Kosovo relations: exchange of views with representatives of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the European Commission and the Government of Kosovo Mr PACOLLI, First Deputy Prime minister and Foreign Minister of the Republic of Kosovo on behalf of Government of Kosovo, briefly summarised the foreign affairs events of Kosovo for 2017. Here it was mentioned that Kosovo is now recognised by 115 countries in the world. Mr PACOLLI expressed hope that Kosovo will soon join Interpol. Mr PACOLLI emphasised that Kosovo is aligning its foreign policy with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security policy as required by the stabilisation and association agreement (SAA). Mr PACOLLI mentioned that following the entry into force of the SAA, Kosovo has adopted the National Programme for the Implementation of the SAA that facilitates implementation of the SAA. Mr PACOLLI stated that the government is focused on implementing the European Reform Agenda. He emphasised that Kosovo is working on improving its ranking in the World Bank business assessment. Mr PACOLLI mentioned that Kosovo is preparing to have access to four additional EU programs in 2018. Mr PACOLLI expressed that Kosovo is delighted with the EU’s focus on enlargement and expressed hope for the accession of the Western Balkans. Mr PACOLLI mentioned that the enhancement of key cooperation on EU rule of law is a focus for Kosovo. Visa liberalisation was stated as one of the most urgent issues for Kosovo’s government and citizens. Mr PACOLLI stated that Kosovo has shown full commitment to regional cooperation. Mr CULLEN, Head of Unit for the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Kosovo, DG NEAR, on behalf of the European Commission, strongly condemned the murder of Mr Oliver IVANOVIĆ and on behalf of the Commission extended condolences. Mr CULLEN emphasised that any attempt to repeal or amend the mandate of the Specialist Chambers seriously undermines the Commission’s trust in Kosovo's commitment to strengthen the rule of law and could jeopardise the joint work over the past years. Mr CULLEN therefore asked the signatories of the motion for the abrogation to consider withdrawing the motion. He stated that the EU’s focus will be on the Western Balkan's reforms and commitment to the rule of law, fundamental rights, and regional integration. Mr CULLEN expressed hope that the Kosovo parliament re- emerges as a forum for constructive political dialogue and focus on EU-related reforms with emphasis on the fight against corruption, public administration, the economy and competitiveness. Mr CULLEN expressed concern with regard to some decisions which risk undermining Kosovo's fiscal sustainability. Mr Cullen expressed regret that the implementation of the Economic Reform Programme (ERP) has been rather limited so far and hoped that the next ERP can show that clear progress is been made in implementing these reforms. Mr CULLEN mentioned that the energy sector continues to face serious problems. No progress has been made on decommissioning the 'Kosovo A' thermal power plant or refurbishing 'Kosovo B' and very little progress was made on renewable energy and on energy efficiency. Mr CULLEN mentioned the visa liberalisation process and remarked that it is in the hands of Kosovo: the ratification of theborder demarcation agreement with Montenegro in the Assembly, one of the outstanding benchmarks of the process, is key. Mr CULLEN stated that the Assembly of Kosovo’s effective oversight of the executive and the transparency and quality of law- making need to be enhanced, and the use of urgent procedures limited. Mr CULLEN urged both the ruling coalition and the opposition to intensify parliamentary work and seek consensus on 2/7 EN.doc EN EU-related reform priorities. He stated that Kosovo can rely on the EU Commission assistance in all these regards. Mr AUER, Head of Division 'Western Balkans' on behalf of the European External Action Service, called for a swift investigation into the murder of Mr Oliver IVANOVIĆ. Mr AUER stated that there is a lot of goodwill in the EU institutions towards the Western Balkan states. Mr AUER mentioned the attempt to repeal the law on Specialist Chambers and urged all members of the Kosovo parliament to sign a petition to redraw the initiative to repeal the law. He emphasised that a redraw of the law on Specialist Chambers would isolate Kosovo on international stage. Mr AUER commented on the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia and noted the progress taking place. Mr AUER mentioned the visa liberalisation and emphasised that the EU institutions would like to move ahead on the issue but that the lack of an agreement on the border issue with Montenegro was standing in the way. Mr SOLTES, EP rapporteur for Kosovo, strongly condemned the murder of Mr Oliver IVANOVIĆ and called for a swift investigation. Mr SOLTES noted that while there has been progress in Kosovo there is still a large room for improvements. Mr SOLTES mentioned the attempt to repeal the law on Specialist Chambers and urged the Kosovo parliament to redraw the initiative. He emphasised that the initiative would damage the Kosovo internally and its relationship with the EU and the rest of the world. Mr SOLTES mentioned the visa liberalisation and underlined that the border issue with Montenegro stands against moving towards visa liberalisation. Mr SOLTES urged Kosovo to continue the dialogue with Serbia and noted the progress so far. Mr SOLTES mentioned the environmental challenges as an issue for Kosovo. He also emphasised that Kosovo needs to do more on the issue of gender equality. Mr SOLTES expressed belief that Kosovo is on its way towards a positive path towards the EU. He stressed that the path towards the EU was in the hands of Kosovo. Ms OSMANI-SADRIU, MP, mentioned the attempt to repeal the law on Specialist Chambers and stressed that initiative would be an attack on the rule of law in Kosovo. She underlined that the initiative did not have the support of the majority of the population of Kosovo. Ms OSMANI-SADRIU asked the EU to help explain the negative consequences of the initiative to the people of Kosovo. Ms OSMANI-SADRIU mentioned the relations with Montenegro and expressed doubts as to the agreement over border issues as the government coalition of Kosovo seemed unwilling to support it. Mr YMERI, MP and vice-Chairman of the committee, mentioned the initiative to repeal the law on Specialist Chambers. He said that the Specialist Chambers are an infringement to the sovereignty of Kosovo and that the Specialist Chambers might draw a wrong picture of the history of Kosovo. Mr YMERI stated that the most important thing for Kosovo is to have an open and democratic public debate on what kind of society the people of Kosovo wants. Mr YMERI stated that the border agreement with Montenegro has failed due to failures of the government and the ministers that signed it and that the link to visa liberalisation has made it difficult to deal with. Mr YMERI stated that the relationship with Montenegro is very important and that finding a peaceful solution is of the utmost importance. Mr YMERI emphasised the importance of the criteria to be applied to Kosovo in an objective and universal framework rather on an ad-hoc, situational framework. Mr KRASNIQI noted the international critic in concern of the initiative on the Specialist Chambers and believe that the Specialist Chambers will continue in Kosovo.
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