Kosovo’s integration into the European Union will remain a priority beyond the Netherlands Presidency of the Council of the European Union, said Gerrie Willems, the Dutch Ambassador to Kosovo.

“We remain committed to, and focused on, the inclusion of the western Balkans region, including Kosovo,” said Willems at a discussion with civil society representatives and the Deputy Minister of European Integration on June 28.

The Netherlands, who have held the presidency 12 times in the history of the EU, matched only by Belgium, will be succeeded by Slovakia on July 1. This will be the first time that Slovakia will hold the presidency.

While international recognition by EU member states and European integration have been at the top of Kosovo’s political agenda since its declared independence in 2008, last week’s referendum in the United Kingdom in favor leaving the EU, called “Brexit,” puts the future of the integration processes into question.

With the specter of the departure of one of Kosovo’s biggest advocates within the EU, and the rise in “Euroscepticism” in the UK and in other European states, Kosovars are insecure about the consequences for their state.

Willems remained adamant that Kosovo’s eventual EU accession will not be jeopardized.

“The outcome of the UK referendum must not and will not stop the EU enlargement process,” said Williams.

“Work continues on EU integration in the western Balkans region. You are Europeans. It is in the benefit of Kosovo, but also of the EU,” she said.

Within Kosovo, however, there is still much progress to be made before the prospect of EU membership becomes a close reality.

In October 2015, a Stabilisation and Association Agreement, SAA, was signed and became the first contractual agreement between Kosovo and the EU. The SAA creates an economic relationship between the EU and Kosovo, removing tariffs, and also provides Kosovo with an overall framework for EU integration that will allow for the monitoring of implementation and results.

Ramadan Ilazi, the Deputy Minister of European Integration, said that he hopes that Kosovo will organize its first meeting with the council of the SAA in the upcoming months.

“The SAA will work to make peace with neighboring countries and help advance economic development,” said Ilazi. “Our focus is implementation. We are always dedicated and committed to advance Kosovo’s status with the EU.”

Beyond the concerns posed by Brexit are those in regards to Slovakia’s upcoming presidency because Slovakia is one of the five EU member states that have not recognized Kosovo’s independence. Ilazi, however, said that he is not concerned by the lack of recognition.

“Our relationships with Slovakia are excellent. What is lacking is only diplomatic recognition,” said Ilazi. “I don’t see it as a problem that Slovakia did not recognize Kosovo.”

Ľubomír Batáry, from Slovakia’s Liaison Office in Pristina, said that his country will take initiative and put a dialogue together, but stated that countries that wish to join the EU will need to fulfill their roles and criteria before consideration.

“For Kosovo, our goal is to finalize discussion on the implementation of SAA,” said Batáry.  “This will be a good first step.”