European Parliament Tells EU to Keep Promises for Kosovo

The debate on Kosovo and Serbia's draft reports has taken place at the European Parliament's Commission for Foreign Policy today. Violet von Cromon, reporting on Kosovo, has spoken of the contents of this report.

Several speakers in Thursday's debate have expressed gratitude for the speed with which Kosovo had supported EU sanctions against Russia and had condemned Russia's aggression against Ukraine. Representatives of the European Commission and those of the EU Foreign Service have also spoken in the debate.

Vassilis Maragos from the European Commission has expressed gratitude for Kosovo's attitudes about the war in Ukraine. He has particularly welcomed the participation of Prime Minister Albin Kurti at the Donors' Conference for Ukraine. Maragos has warned that the Commission will help Kosovo cope with economic consequences. Maragos has particularly cited the need for investments in the energy sector, calling the latest power supply crisis in Kosovo as a wake-up alert.

The European Commission's representative in this debate has reiterated that the European Commission's assessment continues to be that Kosovo has met all criteria for visa liberalisation and that support from the European Parliament in this direction remains key. Elsa Fenet, from the EU Foreign Action Service (EEAS), has also praised Kosovo's positions about the war in Ukraine. She has said that Kosovo is formally not obliged to adapt to EU positions in foreign policy, but still such an adaptation is welcome. She has said Kosovo will have to show more flexibility in regional co-operation.

As for dialogue, the geopolitical situation has said it makes normalisation of reports between Kosovo and Serbia more necessary. Croatian MP Tonino Picula has asked the EU to prove commitment to Kosovo.

Our “Role in Kosovo is key, but we when we seek fulfillment of the conditions must testify by our own example of dedication. It is unacceptable that the EU has not yet liberalised visas for Kosovo citizens”, he has said. Rapporteur Von Croamon at the end of the debate has extended the invitation that, at a time when the focus is on Russia's aggression towards Ukraine, not forget that the process of reconciliation in the Western Balkan region has not yet yielded results. She has recalled that war trauma can still be seen in Kosovo.

In the debate over the report for Serbia, it has expressed regret over its positions about the war in Ukraine, and this is seen as Serbia's departure from its European aspirations. Some MPs have even cited serious consequences for Serbia if it does not prove that it wants to respect European values. Many MPs have said that the “has passed the time when they could become balances of attitudes, and now Serbia -- as if each other European state -- must decide on which side it wants to be”.

Even European Parliament rapporteur for Serbia Vladimir Bilic has called for Belgrade to support EU positions. The sovereign states adopt sovereign positions, but also hold responsibility for such positions” Bilic has said, expressing his expectations that Serbia supports EU positions.

Michael Mueller from the European Commission has said during this debate that Serbia's positions regarding Russia's aggression towards Ukraine will be taken into consideration when it is set for steps in the enlargement process. Elsa Fenet from the EEAS has said that, although Serbia has backed several EU positions such as the UN vote, it has still not backed any sanctions against Russia for aggression against Ukraine. She has said they have continued political contacts between Serbia and Russia, including those she has called “persona against the saying”. Also, it has warned that the Russian disinformation campaign in Serbia continues to be present.

Violet Von Cromon has welcomed the contents of the report for Serbia, but has criticised the European People's Party group (EPP) in the European Parliament, calling it the “the safe zone for the interests of President Vuciq”. MP from Croatia, from the Socialist and Democrat grouping ranks Tonino Picula, has said Serbia is not implementing in practice the commitment to regional and good neighbourly co-operation.

He has said the EU can no longer tolerate calculations about its standards and values.
Serbia Several MPs have also invited it to open former communist secret service archives UDB's. Reports of Kosovo and Serbia, as well as other countries of the Western Balkan region, will be voted in mid-June at the Foreign Policy Commission, while at the plenary session in July.