European Union Integration at the Local Level Report EPAP Background Kosovo, as other Western Balkans countries, became a part of European integration process at the Zagreb Summit in 2000, when the Stabilization Association Process(SAP) for Western Balkans was launched. This process aims to fast track the stabilization and transition process to the market economy, to promote regional cooperation and EU integration perspective. This process was further elaborated in the Thessaloniki Summit (June 2003) that included Kosovo in the framework of Stabilization and Association Process. The prospect for Kosovo was further specified through the European Commission Communication named European Future for Kosovo of 20 April 2005, showing the European Union commitment for Kosovo. Amidst efforts to enhance the Stabilization Association Process in Western Balkans, including Kosovo, in June 2004, the Council of Europe approved European Partnership for Kosovo, as a first vehicle determining the key short and mid-term priorities to be tackled by Kosovan institutions in their pursue of European perspective. With the purpose of implementation of these priorities, in January 2004 the Government of Kosovo approved its first Action Plan for the Implementation of European Partnership. From this year onwards, this key EU integration strategic document of the Republic of Kosovo is reviewed on annual basis and the implementation of its priorities is a cornerstone in Kosovo's path to European Union. Starting from March 2003 through to October 2009, the key instrument for political dialogue between the Government of Kosovo and the European Commission within the Association Stabilization Process framework was the Stabilization-Association Tracking Mechanism. In November 2009, pursuant to EC Communication to the Council and European Parliament“Kosovo-Achieving the European Perspective” the process was advanced by launching the Stabilization – Association Process Dialogue(SAPD), which foresees one plenary annual meeting, eight sectoral meetings(or sub-committee meetings), and two'horizontal meetings': Dialogue with civil society and Joint Monitoring Committee(responsible to monitor the EU assistance implementation). Amongst other, the Communication paves the way for the beginning of visa liberalization dialogue, signing of a trade agreement between Kosovo and EU, expansion of independent trade measures and enhancement of inter-border cooperation. 11