Power warns removal of EU punitive measures, sceptical opposition

The majority in the Assembly is warning the European Union's dismissal of Kosovo. But opposition and political analysts are sceptical of such a thing, as they consider “sanctions” are being used for political pressure on Kosovo in relation to dialogue with Serbia.

The MP from the Vetevendosje Movement Parliamentary Group, from the ranks of the Guxo Party, Life Statovci, said there are signals from the European Union that punishment measures against Kosovo will be removed.

You sure do. On our part, they have been described as unjust measures which, considering they were economic measures and given how fragility Kosovo's economy is, I don't think they were either politically or strategically a proper potential. So it is highlighted by us, but also supported by senators and other deputies who have to step down measures against Kosovo. It is also our attitude to take action, but there are also signals from authorities and mediators that will have the removal of these” measures, she says.

Although calling EU measures unfair, deputy The PDK, Ferat Shala, says the Kosovo government has made no lobby action for their departure.

“We don't see any concrete legal or economic and lobby action that we're going to do. Kosovo does not deserve to be under sanctions in any case and circumstances. But the other side is that we have to carry out our homework and we have to increase internal unity and not the logic of alienation and sanctioning of the opposition and all those who think differently”, Shala points out.

On the other hand, political analyst Seb Bytyci stresses that the measures are set to put political pressure on Kosovo, so under the current circumstances you see their departure difficult.

“It is a problem, as measures are set to pressure Kosovo. We have seen statements that still speak of measures and deespasses on the part of Kosovo that sound very strange after 24 September, as those measures are no longer valid. The reasons why those measures have been imposed are no longer valid, as there is no need for police reduction, but rather growth. Logically, the measures should not stay but are set to put political pressure on Kosovo for implementation of the” agreement, he declares.

The Kosovo government was announced for EU measures late in June.

They were decided because of the failure to meet EU and United States conditions for extending the situation to northern Kosovo.

Punishment measures include: the temporary suspension of the work of troops created under the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, the failure of Kosovo at high-level meetings and the suspension of bilateral visits, in addition to those focusing on addressing the crisis in northern Kosovo within the framework of EU facilitated dialogue. /kp/