On 22 February ALDE Party Vice President Ilhan Kyuchyuk MEP hosted a panel debate in the European Parliament looking back to the 10 years of independence of Kosovo and its way ahead through European integration.

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kosovo, Rejhan Vuniqi, from ALDE member party AKR joined the event as a speaker, and also took the opportunity to meet with ALDE Party President Hans van Baalen MEP.

In his opening remarks, Ilhan Kyuchyuk MEP said: "Kosovo is a reliable partner and as such the country upholds its international obligations. The country has a proactive and dynamic foreign policy, based on the vision of establishing and maintaining good relations with all of its neighbours. However, the process of normalisation of relations with Serbia is still lagging. Both sides need to show political will to create, sign and implement a legally binding document that will regulate relations between them. In fact, the resumption of the dialogue between Pristine and Belgrade is in the best interest of both sides and a guarantee for peace, prosperity and stability not only for the region but also for the whole Europe."

"When it comes to prosperity it is important to note that in recent years, Kosovo has improved its business climate - Kosovo authorities have implemented liberal reforms to spur economic development, attract foreign investment, and increase revenues. Of course, as it is the case with the other countries from the region Kosovo should fight the organise crime and corruption in order to achieve substantial progress. It will be a long fight but the success at the end will bring benefits for all and will be a positive impulse for country’s state building process and Euro-Atlantic integration."

"I believe that Kosovo, as a young state, has made a significant progress in its first 10 years as an independent state. However, there are still challenges which should be addressed and solved in the next decade. I am sure that today’s discussion will give us explanations how this will happen," he concluded.

https://twitter.com/ilhankyuchyuk/status/966604397844279296?s=20

During the panel debate, Deputy Minister Rejhan Vuniqi said: "Over the past decade, with the support of our friends, including the European Parliament, Kosovo has been recognised by many countries and we have become members of many regional and international organisations. We will continue our work in lobbying for more recognition. We also want to use this opportunity to seek your support for advancing our position, in particular with the five countries in the European Union who still don't recognise us."

https://twitter.com/KSEmbBxls/status/966608383112556545?s=20

https://twitter.com/hansvanbaalen/status/966750106287591424?s=20