The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has stated that the Ohrid agreement is essential and that the commitment means timely implementation.

Von der Leyen in a joint conference with the president, Vjosa Osmani, said that the steps taken by Kosovo with the signing of the agreement within the Berlin Process, the progress in CEFTA, the permission of Serbian goods and the X-ray scanners that will be used to scanning the goods before they enter the market of our country are concrete steps towards the European Union and normalization.

According to her, Kosovo has made progress in its reforms related to the EU, but has also worked hard for democracy and the rule of law.

She has welcomed the agreement that was approved two weeks ago in the Berlin Process and allowing Serbian goods in Kosovo.

Von der Leyen was also asked about the lifting of measures against Kosovo and the cancellation of the previously planned meeting with the Prime Minister of Serbia, Milos Vucevic, after the announcement of the latter's meeting with the Minister of Economic Development of Russia, Maksim Reshetnikov, in which it is stated that it was planned to strengthen cooperation in the field of economy and other policies between the two countries.

Von der Leyen was asked if Kosovo will have as a condition the establishment of the Association of municipalities with a Serbian majority, in order to benefit from the growth plan.

Meanwhile, the president of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, has called Serbia the strongest satellite of Russia in Europe, for which the European Union must show determination.

President Osmani congratulated Von der Leyen for the re-election as head of the European Commission, saying that she is looking forward to continuing the cooperation they have built over the years.

Osmani said that Von der Leyen's visit to our country is only a few days after the approval of the reform agenda for Kosovo.

However, Osmani added that it is unfortunate for the entire Western Balkans and the EU that a country such as Serbia continues to be the strongest satellite of Russia in Europe.

President Vjosa Osmani reiterated that our country will continue to be steadfast in its aspirations towards EU membership.

Von der Leyen is visiting Kosovo as part of a tour of the six countries of the Western Balkans, to express the commitment of the commission for engagement in bringing the region closer to the EU.

Von der Leyen also met with Prime Minister Albin Kurti, where the media only had the opportunity to take pictures.

Von der Leyen's first stop was Albania on October 23, to continue in North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia. She will end her visit to the region with a meeting with the leaders of Montenegro in Podgorica.

Otherwise, last Friday, the EU approved the reform agendas of the five countries of the Western Balkans, which have presented them as a condition to benefit from the package of the Growth Plan of 6 billion euros.

Kosovo, which applied for EU membership on December 15, 2022, remains the only country in the region that does not yet have the status of a candidate country.