Welcoming @NATO_KFOR Commander Maj. Gen. Roberto Vergori today, we discussed 🇪🇺 EU-NATO cooperation and our shared commitment to peace, security and stability in 🇽🇰 Kosovo, for the benefit of all communities. I look forward to working closely with Maj. Gen. Vergori and wish him every success in his mission.

Pleased to welcome 🇳🇱 Netherlands Ambassador Astrid de Vries today. As part of 🇪🇺 #TeamEurope in Kosovo, we are both here to help 🇽🇰 Kosovo advance on its EU path. #EUbyYourSide

Implementation of 🇽🇰 Kosovo’s Strategy for the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Communities and their Members 2023–2027, relevant legislation, and the importance of all communities’ participation in socio-political life were at the centre of my discussion with Minister for Communities and Returns @nenadrasic_zspo. The 🇪🇺 EU will continue working closely with the Ministry and funding programmes supporting non-majority communities in Kosovo. #EUbyYourSide

Discussing the promotion of 🇪🇺 EU values and the principles of pluralism, non-discrimination and gender equality with the Head of the Office for Good Governance Habit Hajredini and the Executive Director of Agency for Gender Equality Edi Gusia, both part of the Prime Minister's Office, I reiterated 🇪🇺 EU support for their efforts to advance 🇽🇰 Kosovo's policies and legal framework and ensure their effective implementation. Respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and human rights, including the rights of women and non-majority communities, is fundamental to the EU and all countries aspiring to join it. As Kosovo's strongest partner, the EU remains committed to supporting its European integration. #EUbyYourSide

Reflecting today with Minister of Economy @Artane_R on the tangible impact of the 🇪🇺 EU-funded #EnergySupportPackage on more than 200,000 households and 154 businesses across 🇽🇰 Kosovo, I was encouraged by her appreciation of EU support and our partnership. The €75 million package represents just a fraction of the more than €3.7 billion the EU has invested in Kosovo since 1999, as Kosovo’s strongest and most reliable partner and largest provider of financial assistance. The package was a concrete demonstration of EU solidarity with Kosovo and other Western Balkans partners, introduced in response to the global energy crisis caused by Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine. Looking ahead, continued EU–Kosovo cooperation and joint investments will be essential to advancing Kosovo’s transition to renewable energy and strengthening its long-term energy security. #EUbyYourSide

With the Assembly's adoption of the Anti-Money Laundering Law in its second reading yesterday, 🇽🇰 Kosovo has taken a further step towards joining the Single Euro Payments Area - #SEPA - and gradually integrating into the 🇪🇺 EU Single Market. This is good news! Once Kosovo joins SEPA, payments and money transfers to and from countries in the SEPA area will become easier, faster and cheaper, saving businesses and citizens time and money. #EUbyYourSide

In separate meetings today with the newly appointed management and Board members of @rtklivecom, and the Board of the #IndependentMediaCommission, I reiterated 🇪🇺 EU support for media freedom and freedom of expression in 🇽🇰 Kosovo. The new laws on IMC and RTK should be fully aligned with the EU acquis, including the European Media Freedom Act, and safeguard the independence and sustainability of both institutions. Public consultations on both laws will be crucial. #EUbyYourSide

Welcomed today non-resident 🇨🇦 Canadian Ambassador to 🇽🇰 Kosovo Jessica Blitt. We exchanged views on current political developments in Kosovo and expressed hope that renewed institutional stability would enable the country to make full use of international support, with the 🇪🇺 EU remaining Kosovo's largest provider of financial assistance. #EUbyYourSide

Meeting with Head of the @CoE in Pristina Mary Ann Hennessey, we discussed our joint work to strengthen the rule of law, human rights and democracy in support of Kosovo’s reforms. EU–Council of Europe co-funded programmes and projects are helping Kosovo advance on its 🇪🇺 EU integration path. #EUbyYourSide

Reaffirming 🇪🇺 EU support for a multi-ethnic 🇽🇰 Kosovo, my introductory meeting with Grand Mufti Naim Tërnava focused on the importance of interfaith dialogue, inter-community cooperation and tolerance. I reiterated EU support for the adoption of a new Law on Religious Freedom, in line with the Venice Commission's recommendations. #EUbyYourSide

I welcome 🇽🇰 Kosovo's decision today to align with an additional 🇪🇺 EU restrictive measure against Russia in support of Ukraine & with EU27 statements, thus maintaining its full alignment with the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy. Kosovo's continued commitment to #CFSP reflects its adherence to European values. #EUbyYourSide

In my introductory meeting with 🇽🇰 Minister of Environment and Spatial Planning @FitoreP, we discussed 🇪🇺 EU support for Kosovo in advancing the #GreenAgenda as a priority and agreed to work closely together in tackling waste management challenges. The #GrowthPlan offers further opportunities to support these efforts. #EUbyYourSide

At today's @NATO_KFOR change of command ceremony, I thanked Major General Özkan Ulutaş for all his support. Looking forward to working with the new COMKFOR, Major General Roberto Vergori, to further strengthen EU-NATO cooperation in Kosovo. As noted before, while the 🇪🇺 EU supports 🇽🇰Kosovo's European integration politically and financially, KFOR plays a crucial role in maintaining a safe and secure environment.

Met UN Development Coordinator Stephen O'Malley & heads of UN agencies in Kosovo to discuss our cooperation in delivering 🇪🇺EU assistance, supporting 🇽🇰 Kosovo's progress towards the #SustainableDevelopmentGoals while advancing on its #EuropeanIntegration path for the benefit of all its citizens. The 🇪🇺 EU remains Kosovo's largest provider of financial assistance, having invested €3.7 billion since 1999. #EUbyYourSide

A number of important topics covered in today’s meeting with Minister of Economy @Artane_R, including our joint efforts to help 🇽🇰 Kosovo transition to clean energy through 🇪🇺 #IPA-funded projects and the implementation of #GrowthPlan-related reforms and associated financial support. We also discussed the successful implementation of the EU’s Energy Support Package, which has benefited more than 200,000 households and 154 businesses. The EU remains Kosovo’s most reliable partner and largest provider of financial assistance. #EUbyYourSide

The importance of the Common Regional Market, CEFTA, the Berlin Process and 🇽🇰 Kosovo’s gradual integration into the 🇪🇺 EU Single Market were among the topics discussed today with Minister of Industry, Trade and Innovation @mimozakusari. Looking forward to our cooperation and supporting Kosovo in implementing its #SAA with the EU and #GrowthPlan-related reforms that advance Kosovo on its EU integration path. #EUbyYourSide

Meeting today European Investors Council Vice-Chair Visar Paçarada, we discussed their efforts to attract foreign direct investment through continuous dialogue between the 🇽🇰 Kosovo Government, private sector, 🇪🇺 EU & investors from EU and EFTA countries, and other international partners. With €3.7 billion in financial assistance provided to Kosovo since 1999, the EU remains Kosovo’s largest provider of financial assistance, supporting its development and contributing to its economic growth. #EUbyYourSide

My sincere congratulations to 🇽🇰 Kosovo's new President Justina Shiroka Pula. With hopes for renewed political and institutional stability, I look forward to working with her, Kosovo's institutions & the broad political spectrum on moving the country closer to the European Union. The 🇪🇺 EU's support will remain unwavering. #EUbyYourSide