From: Alice Taylor
Croatian Prime Minister Pledges to Help with Kosovo’s EU and Visa Goals

Croatia will help Kosovo with visa liberalisation, according to Prime minister Andrej Plenkovic who met with his Kosovo Albanian counterpart Albin Kurti in Prishtina on Monday, November 15.

Following a meeting between the two, Plenkovic said they would help Kosovo on the path to European integration and with the issue of visa liberalisation. Currently, Kosovo is not a candidate country and, despite promises, does not enjoy visa liberalisation for its citizens.

“We are working to help Kosovo on the European path; we will also help with visa liberalisation. You already know that Croatia is the youngest member of the EU and will help you with reforms. Croatia will support the dialogue for stability in the region,” he said.

We are interested in having good relations with Kosovo and improving ties with Serbia, Plenkovic added at the press conference.

Kurti said he highly appreciates the support Kosovo receives from Croatia.

“Today’s visit confirms the closeness and good relations between our two countries as well have a common past. We are grateful for the excellent cooperation and the continuous support that Croatia gives Kosovo,” he said.

Croatia’s support of Kosovo EU accession and visa liberalisation is unlikely to sit well with Belgrade who does not consider Kosovo an independent state, instead considering it a province of Serbia.