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04 June – Eqrem Qabej high school in PristinaEurope will not be made at once “Europe will not be made all at once, or according to a single plan. It will be built through concrete achievements which first create a de facto solidarity…” Robert Schuman declared on 9th May 1950. Twice Michael Giffoni repeated this to a captive audience of students of Eqrem Qabej secondary school on the outskirts of Pristina. Eqrem Qabej secondary school is located a few kilometers outside Pristina, not far from Germia park, in one of the quieter areas of Pristina. There is a sense of calm around the place and the thirst for knowledge on the part of the students was immediately noticeable. The pride of principle Sadik Berisha and the rest of the teaching staff is evident and each classroom contained a large collection of books for the students on a range of subjects. Mr. Giffoni, the Italian Ambassador to Kosovo, explained the idea of Europe from the early days of the Schuman plan, right up until the present day, emphasizing the importance of enlargement throughout. The students’ faces throughout the day were those of a new generation, interested in learning more about the EU and the steps involved to become a part of it. “What does Kosovo have to do to join the EU?” was the short and simple question asked by one student. Ambassador Giffoni emphasized, amongst other things, respect for the communities adding with a smile “It will happen in your lifetime, probably not my life time, or Mr. Berisha’s, but yours!” He also emphasized the assistance that Kosovo would have in the years to come in order to become a member. “We will do everything we can to help you be part of the EU”
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