European Parliament Gives Support to Kosovo's EU Membership Bid

MEPs adopted the resolution based on the annual report for implementation of common foreign and security policy for 2022, drafted by David McAllister, chairman of the Commission for Foreign Affairs (AFET), reports “Europeanwesternbalkans”.

Part of this resolution with 167 amendments was the amendment that reportedly welcomes Kosovo's application for EU membership, as well as the other amendment calling for the 5 member states that do not recognise Kosovo's independence to do so and stresses “urgent need for the EU-led Pristina-Belgrade dialogue process to intensify with the goal of normalising bilateral relations on the basis of mutual recognition”.

In the part of the resolution referring to Serbia, EP members expressed regret over continuing the low level of belonging to CFSP, especially in connection with the war in Ukraine. They stressed the importance of the countries of the Western Balkans' full alignment with EU foreign and security policy, especially its sanctions policy against third countries”.

The European Parliament “reiterates its position that further negotiating chapters should be opened only when Serbia strengthens its commitment to reforms in the fields of democracy and rule of law and demonstrates full approach with CFSP” and “recalls that Serbia, as a country struggling towards European integration, must adhere to common EU values and rights”.

The resolution welcomes granting candidate status to Bosnia and Herzegovina and urged political actors to show commitment towards implementing needed reforms and meeting 14 key priorities on the country's path towards the EU. The European Parliament also called on the Commission and the EEAS “to assist Bosnia and Herzegovina in quick implementation of key priorities and in preventing returning to nationalist policies of the past”.

An amendment was also adopted denouncing rhetoric and Seceptionist actions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including celebrations of national holidays declared unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court. The same paragraph proposes sanctions targeted against Milorad Dodik and other high-ranking Republika Srpska officials and third-seat officials “that offer political and material support to Secesionist policies”.

The European Parliament also welcomed the start of accession negotiations with Albania and Northern Macedonia, and urged all relevant parties to follow the necessary steps to enable the rapid progress of Albania and North Macedonia”. The resolution reaffirmed the EP's support for the European future of Western Balkan countries and called on member states “to renew their commitment to enlargement by fulfilling EU commitments to Western Balkan countries”.

The resolution stressed the need for a <x0-rate of more active and effective communication” to promote the benefits of enlargement and relations between the EU and the Western Balkans. /Klankosova. tv