President Vjosa Osmani received today in a meeting the Ambassador of France to Kosovo Olivier Guérot, with whom she discussed the latest developments in the country and the early national elections on December 28.
Osmani emphasized the importance of the smooth conduct of the electoral process and respect for the highest democratic standards, for which Kosovo is already an example.
The meeting also discussed the assumption of office of elected mayors of Kosovo municipalities, including municipalities in the north of the country, a process that was completed today.
The President stressed the urgency of lifting EU measures which, unjustly and without any reason, are still in force and are harming the interests of all citizens, without distinction.
Osmani reiterated the commitment to strengthening the interstate partnership between Kosovo and France.
The EU imposed punitive measures in 2023 that included the temporary suspension of the working groups for the Stabilization and Association Agreement, the non-invitation of Kosovo to high-level meetings, the suspension of bilateral visits, and the programming of funds. Our country remained outside the grants that the EU approved in July 2023 in the amount of 2.1 billion euros.
During a visit to Kosovo this year, European foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the EU has begun to gradually lift the measures, but did not provide further details.
It has been reported that the measures that have begun to be lifted relate to the SAA, the first contractual pact between Kosovo and the EU, and the Western Balkans Investment Framework.
