EU, Kosovo sign stabilization, association agreement

The European Union (EU) on Tuesday signed a stabilization and association agreement with Kosovo, saying it would continue to support Kosovo's progress on its European path.

The signing took place in Strasbourg, France. "This agreement is a milestone for the EU-Kosovo relationship," said EU's foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini on the occasion of signing.

The Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA), negotiated by the two sides between October 2013 and May 2014, was initialed in July 2014. The Council of the EU agreed to its signature on Oct. 22.

EU said in a statement that the SAA focuses on respect for key democratic principles and core elements that are at the heart of the EU's single market and was expected to enter into force in the first half of next year following consent of the European Parliament.

Once in force, the deal would establish a contractual relationship that entails mutual rights and obligations and covers a wide variety of sectors. It will establish an area that allows for free trade and the application of European standards in other areas such as competition, state aid and intellectual property, the statement said.

It will also help the implementation of reforms designed to achieve the adoption of European standards by Kosovo. Other provisions cover political dialogue, cooperation in a wide variety of sectors ranging from education and employment to energy, the environment and justice and home affairs, the statement noted.

"This agreement is opening a new phase in the EU-Kosovo relationship. It represents an important contribution to stability and prosperity in Kosovo and the region at large," said Mogherini.

Serbia categorically refuses to recognize Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence in 2008, though most leading European countries as well as the United States have exchanged diplomats with Kosovo. Endit