European Parliament Votes Report on Kosovo, MPs discussed recognitions

Because of the specific way of voting, precise results for specific amendments will be known later, reports the REL.

As a result of the measures, aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19 disease, debates in the European Parliament are under way: with MPs participating in the hall, as well as Internet connection. Even votes are being held in this form, so results cannot be known immediately.

In the report that the rapporteur for Kosovo, Von Cramon, has submitted since December last year, before it was known that early elections would be held in Kosovo, it has voiced disappointment over the lack of progress in implementing the agenda of European reforms, in fighting corruption and in the area of rule of law.

These frustrations have remained part of the Kosovo report's text. In the report it has also been asked to continue to have commitment in terms of dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, this call has been made to both countries. Regarding the dialogue, there have been several proposals, which have been called on by the EU Foreign Action Service to create mechanisms in order to monitor the implementation of the agreements that have been reached under this process, as well as regularly reported to the EP for progress in EU-mediated talks.

Among the many amendments proposed in the Kosovo report, there were also demands that the paragraph be removed through which the five EU countries, which have not recognised Kosovo, be invited to do so. Such a demand has especially been made by MPs from Spain and other states who have not yet recognised Kosovo's independence.

Meanwhile, European MPs, who come from states that have recognised Kosovo, have insisted that Kosovo be recognised as a state and more assisted in the European integration process. These MPs have reiterated the call for the EU Council, without delay to liberalise visas for Kosovo citizens, as according to the European Commission's assessment, official Pristina has always met the conditions for liberalisation, and such is supported by the European Parliament.

But, against the call for visa liberalisation, several amendments from some far-right MPs were proposed, especially from France.

After the report is approved to the Commission for Foreign Policy, it is later submitted to the plenary session, in the form of a draft resolution, to vote later in the spring. Because the year 2019 was an election year in the EU, and in 2020 the coronary pandemic spread, even this report on Kosovo came late.

European Parliament resolutions express the political positions of this EU institution, but are not legally binding on member states. Therefore, even the EP's current calls for recognition of Kosovo by the five European bloc states, as well as for visa liberalisation, have had no effect.