00:00for the moment. I want to start with the issue that you touched upon at the end of your statement
00:06and that is understandably at the center of public attention. Nothing and nobody can rewrite
00:16Kosovo's history. 1999 is engraved in Europe's collective memory the violent repressions,
00:25the humanitarian crisis, the suffering endured by your people. The European Union has stood
00:34with you ever since. We have been Kosovo's strongest partner and largest provider of
00:41financial assistance. We've been supporting reconstruction, economic development, reforms
00:49and the constitution of a modern democratic Kosovo, a Kosovo whose future is in our European
00:58Union. The judgment of the specialist chambers has caused strong emotions. I appreciate your
01:07measured response and that of other political leaders calling for calm. This judgment was
01:16delivered by independent judicial institutions and their mandate must be fully respected.
01:24The defendants now have the right to appeal. But one thing is clear. This judgment is about the
01:33individual responsibility of the defendants. Kosovo's resistance was not on trial and we must honor
01:43the memory of all victims from all communities in Kosovo. Their memory must remain part of Kosovo's
01:53path towards reconciliation and a shared future. And this brings me to my second point, the crucial
02:01importance of institutional stability. A new assembly and the government has been formed. That is good.
02:09The next step is the election of a president. And we have seen in recent weeks and days that dialogue
02:17between political parties is possible. And you should build on it because institutional stability is the
02:25foundation for everything else, for reforms, for growth and for progress on your European path.
02:33And that brings me to my third point, Kosovo's European future. I said it before and I'll say it again,
02:42I believe in a European future for Kosovo very clearly. Because I know how deeply European the people of Kosovo
02:50feel. And this is a strong foundation on which we must build. And our task is to turn this aspiration
02:59into concrete progress.
03:02towards being a purpose towards being a member of the European Union. This is exactly what our growth plan is
03:09about. You know the principles. It's the same across the whole region. We come with European investment.
03:15And we progressively open parts of our single market. In parallel, you deliver the reforms needed. So that your companies
03:26can compete and thrive with the companies of the single market at a level playing field.
03:32And this is how Kosovo. And this is how Kosovo's economy can gradually converge with the single market of the
03:38European Union.
03:40Kosovo can receive up to 882 million euros under the growth plan. And you have already received 62 million in
03:50pre-financing. But of course, more can come and should come.
03:54For this, we need an absolute surge in reforms, bold reforms delivered fast. And we need the fully functioning of
04:02the institutions.
04:04The growth plan can take you significantly closer to our single market. And it is up to you to seize
04:11the opportunities.
04:12Let me give you, and we discussed it, two examples where I would really encourage progress. The first is roaming.
04:20Now that you have appointed a chief negotiator, thank you for that.
04:24We will start negotiations to bring down the charges as we're doing across the region. It's so important for the
04:30people.
04:31And on the so-called SEPA, the single-euro payment era, when you adopt the legislation needed to move forward,
04:40you can join SEPA.
04:42SEPA has the potential to save the Western Balkan companies up to 500 million euros annually.
04:50So a real boon for the business, because transaction of money means no fees and fast.
04:57So step by step, this is how Kosovo can come closer to the European Union. And this is what we
05:03want.
05:06Kosovo's European future is also about the kind of society it builds on.
05:11Kosovo must protect its multi-ethnic character and rebuild trust with the Kosovo-SERB community.
05:17We have seen positive steps this year, including the missing persons and the agreement of the 14th of March.
05:23And I really want to thank you for that.
05:27Dear Alvin, together we will visit the university in Pristina, and in particular the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences,
05:36and its premises that were built with European funds.
05:40I will meet students who are the ones who will be shaping Kosovo's future.
05:46And they are the ones who will drive innovation forward.
05:50They are also the ones who will hopefully then one day create companies.
05:54They are the ones who will create jobs and growth.
05:57So I hope indeed they will shape Kosovo's future in the European Union.
06:03Thank you for all what you have done.
06:05Thank you for your hospitality.
06:07And I'm very much looking forward to visit the university.
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