The EU Ambassador in Kosovo, Tomas Szunyog organized a farewell meeting with representatives of Kosovo's institutions, on the occasion of the end of his four-year mandate.

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Among the most important events for the state of Kosovo, during the time Szunyog exercised his duties as ambassador, he mentioned the liberalization of visas.

He expressed that he feels relieved after this, for which he said that he had felt it as a burden for the years he stayed in Kosovo. 

In his farewell speech, Szunyog emphasized that tourist trips to the European Union are only a part of the many other benefits that the EU offers.

"Another thing that kept me alert was the constant questions about visa liberalization. This, my dear friends and partners, felt like a real burden, especially every time I sat down with students and young people to talk about Kosovo's European future. So I'm relieved and grateful that we finally crossed that bridge. Kosovo passport holders can now travel visa-free in the Schengen area. And that's it, just that - this is just the tip of the iceberg. Tourist trips to the European Union are just one part of the many other benefits that the EU offers. There is a membership – and one that is a strategic choice. But it is not enough to say it out loud, nor to measure the public pulse of the population. It is necessary to live the values ​​of the EU every day, bring them to the corridors of your institutions and illustrate them on your streets... How many times have you heard me or my predecessors call for progress of Kosovo towards the EU, because the future of Kosovo is in the EU? You have not only heard us repeat it again and again, but the EU has also attached financial assistance to go with this ambition", Szunyog said.

In addition, the EU Ambassador in Kosovo, Tomas Szunyog said that the European future is in our hands and that they will encourage Kosovo towards success.

He emphasized that there is nothing that prevents Kosovo from living the dream of the EU every day and that according to him, nothing prevents our country from making the necessary changes and elections for a European state.

"Perhaps you think that we are not treating you fairly, that we are slow and bureaucratic. Maybe you can find others to point the finger at. However, none of this should be an excuse. Your European future is in your hands and we are here to encourage you to success. But this, dear friends and partners, is only yours to achieve. There is nothing that prevents Kosovo from living the EU dream every day. Nothing prevents you from making the necessary changes and choices for a European Kosovo. Some of these choices may be difficult, or uncomfortable, but they must be made. So I am convinced that when I return for a visit, I will see more from the EU right here in Kosovo", said Szunyog.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, thanked Ambassador Szunyog for the attention, effort and contribution given during his mandate.

Prime Minister Albin Kurti said that the European Union represents the future of Kosovo and the family of nations that our country aspires to join and contribute to.

Kurti emphasized that during the mandate of Szunyog, Kosovo marked important achievements on the path of integration into the EU, while he mentioned the application for membership in the European Union at the end of 2022 and the liberalization of visas at the beginning of this year as the most historic.

"I want to thank you for all the meetings, conversations and discussions we have had together, which have been many, and for your active presence in so many periods of our government. The European Union represents the future of Kosovo, of the family of nations that our country aspires to join and contribute, certainly with common values ​​and ... for the future. It is not surprising that Kosovo is currently the most pro-EU country with 95 percent of people supporting membership in the European Union, therefore representing our future which with such a great will the European Union is always the time our present. During your mandate, Kosovo marked important achievements on the path to EU integration, the most historic being our application for membership in the European Union at the end of 2022 and the liberalization of visas at the beginning of this year. I received many letters and documents from you Tomas, but one that I liked the most was the country report 2022. It is considered one of the best for Kosovo and among the best in the Western Balkans. This was the result of our achievement in EU reforms", said Kurti.

Present at this body were several important political personalities, including the US ambassador, Jeffrey Hovenier, the Italian ambassador, De Riu that of Germany, Jorn Rohde and several others.

In addition to these, the chairman of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo, Ramush Haradinaj, the head of the parliamentary group of the Vetëvendosje Movement, Mimoza Kusari Lila, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Entrepreneurship, Rozeta Hajdari, the Minister of Communities and Return, Nenad Rashič and others.

Szuyog was appointed head of the EU office for Kosovo on 1 September 2020. His mandate includes the task of providing advice and support to the EU in the political process and promoting the overall political coordination of the Union in Kosovo. Before the end of his three-year mandate, the European Council in July 2023 adopted the decision to extend the existing mandates of three EU Special Representatives (EUSRs) for one year, until 31 August 2024, including that of Szuyog .