11 May – EU Teach a day in secondary school Sami Frasheri in Prishtinë/Priština

“Kosovo’s integration in the EU starts in this class”

The first lecture of the 2010 “EU Teach a day” was given by Kjartan Bjornsson, Head of Operations Section at the European Commission Liaison Office to Kosovo, together with Deputy Minister for Education Agim Hyseni, at the secondary school Sami Frasheri in Prishtinë/Priština.

During his talk, Kjartan Bjornsson explained the mechanisms of the European Union internal market and the importance of common standards between all member states, stressing that Kosovo will need to reach these standards in order to integrate into the EU. He reminded the students that these common standards are not easy to define between 27 states but that they are essential for the EU members to progress together.

Kjartan Bjornsson also stated that Kosovo’s integration in the EU will depend on the students present in this very class. Young generations will be the driving force behind Kosovo’s development and progress towards the European Union, as they are the future leaders and decision-makers, said Kjartan Bjornsson.

After the lecture, students were invited to ask questions. Students were mostly interested in the future of Kosovo and its European perspective, as well as in the opportunities to study abroad in European countries. Kjartan Bjornsson reminded the students that the path towards integration in the EU had been long for every member country, and will be very long for Kosovo as well. The best way meet the challenges ahead as good and as speedily is possibly is when everybody joins in and makes their best effort to help Kosovo’s progress towards Europe.