European Commission submitted its proposal for negotiating directives for a Stabilisation and Association Agreement to the Council last Monday. We were able to do so after Kosovo worked hard to meet the short-term priorities we identified in our feasibility study on rule of law, public administration, protection of minorities and trade. I would like to publicly commend Kosovo for this effort.

In its conclusions of last December, the Council has committed itself to adopt the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) negotiating directives, provided its assessment of Kosovo's efforts was positive. Our report concludes that Kosovo has delivered. I now hope that the Council will share our assessment and will adopt the negotiating directives. Discussions in the General Affairs Council of last Monday give me reasons to be optimistic in this regard.

The Commission will do what it can to help guide its proposals through the Council but Kosovo needs to swiftly implement last Friday's agreement and other dialogue agreements, and continue to act on its EU reform agenda. It also needs to continue to prepare for the SAA negotiations, whenever they start.

The Commission will also help guide its proposal for a framework agreement allowing Kosovo to take part in EU programmes through the Council. I hope the Council will agree and sign this agreement soon.''