Von Croamon: We support Kosovo's application in KiE, but not in the EU

The rapporteur for Kosovo in the European Parliament, Violet Von Cremon, said this report is powerful and comprehensive with fundamental points.

“Supports Kosovo's application to the Council of Europe, but we have made a clear distinction with the EU application. When we said it was not a good time because of the issue of non-recognition, that would increase the local expectations that we would have to manage later. Likewise, I have said that in Kosovo as well as when I was there the last time”, the rapporteur for Kosovo has declared.

She had good words for current governance, where she said a fight against organised crime and corruption has been launched.

“We have had a major political turn in mid-2021 with the new government led by Albin Kurti, who has undertaken work after the 2021 big victory, are aiming and working for reforms that will bring Kosovo closer to the EU and into a very difficult economic situation. But they have started with a fight against organised crime and corruption. But we are also seeing this at a special moment in the international context. We are seeing there is a Russian aggression that is especially a major concern for countries in the Western Balkans. Likewise, we are seeing a mood in Kosovo that has led to the empowering of EULEX forces in the country and however we have not seen and have not noticed a serious threat to Kosovo's security and territorial integrity, both in the north and in any other part”, she has said.

Furthermore, this report also cites the need for normalisation of relations with Serbia.

The “in the report's text also highlights the need for normalisation of relations with Serbia, which is based on mutual recognition, as preconditions for EU access to both countries. Dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina has not been too high in the agenda and the agreement that has been reached in the past. Now they are being questioned, showing that there is no serious commitment and has been criticised by many individuals, MPs, as well as our” report, she added.

She added that the report reportedly would give full support to special envoy for dialogue Miroslav Lajcak. According to her, there was good news for dialogue after four years, with the reach of the energy agreement and missing persons. Among other things, Von Croamon has also called for the inclusion of women in the dialogue process.

The report on Kosovo also mentions visa liberalisation.

“E has repeatedly supported this and already the amendments and the majority in parliament are really highlighted by most of my colleagues, that visa liberalisation is still blocking Kosovo at the Council of Europe level, neither in parliament nor in the commission, and that we always take to the highest levels of French and Dutch governments. I've been to Paris and I've been talking about this case and we've been trying as hard as possible to unlock the situation. Now the elections in France are over, and we see there is a new moment for this to be unblocked”, she stressed.

It has invited the government to work with international partners and implement the Venice Commission recommendations. Von Croamon has also invited court decisions for the Decani Monastery to be carried out.