May 17 (SeeNews) - The joint declaration adopted by the leaders of the European Union and of its member states at the EU-Western Balkans summit in Sofia on Thursday is a major step forward, Kosovo's EU integration minister Dhurata Hoxha told SeeNews.
"The joint statement that was approved today by all members, it is really a significant step ahead especially since it focused on really key areas, which are necessary for the Western Balkans to move ahead faster, in a more dynamic process of integration," Hoxha told SeeNews at an event organised by the Vienna Economic Forum on the sidelines of the summit.
Earlier in the day, the leaders of the EU member states adopted a joint declaration pledging to continue to support the Western Balkan countries in their efforts to join the bloc. The declaration stresses on the need for connectivity in all dimensions: transport, energy, digital, economic and
human, partnering in security, and fighting corruption and organised crime.
"Basically the first page of the strategy says the six Western Balkan countries have a EU perspective which for us was really necessary especially because [...] we have an unwavered commitment to EU integration and Euro- Atlantic integration," Hoxha said.
She pointed out that for Kosovo's government the commitment to integration into the EU and NATO is a top foreign policy goal.
"We have a national consensus on this but also the huge support of our citizens which is above 90%," she stated.
Kosovo has signed a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU, which entered into force on April 1, 2016. The country is still waiting to be granted an official candidate status, before it can open membership talks.
"I personally believe that the region should be integrated on the merits and standards that the states have fulfilled," Hoxha added. "However, for a really long-lasting peace and stabilization in the Western Balkans, all countries should try and help one another, so that they can join all six
of them at the same time."
Kosovo, majority populated by ethnic Albanians, declared independence from Serbia in 2008 and has been recognised as a sovereign state by more than 100 countries in the world. Serbia refuses to recognise the independence of its former southern province.