European Parliament Urges Kosovo, Serbia to Advance in Dialogue Process

The European Parliament for Foreign Policy Commission has called on Kosovo and Serbia to advance in the process of dialogue mediating Brussels.

These comments have been made in a debate that has been held in this commission concerning the reports on Kosovo and Serbia.

These two reports were drafted by rapporteurs for these two countries: Violet Von Croamon for Kosovo and Vladimir Bilkik for Serbia.

Kosovo rapporteur Violet von Cromon has said that “Kosovo has come a great way towards democracy” and has added that “against the political polarisation that recently exists in Kosovo, this country has moved ahead of several countries in the region in achieving the standards of democracy”.

However, it has said more progress must be achieved in the field of the judiciary, in order to eliminate unnecessary political influence.

As for Kosovo's application for EU membership, von Cremon has declared that this issue depends on domestic reforms, but also on dialogue with Serbia.

“This dialogue requires clear leadership and commitment, and we do not want Kosovo to be seen as a side that is less constructive in the” dialogue, Von Cromon has said.

It has warned that the security situation in northern Kosovo is also the responsibility of the EU.

Perhaps we should also strengthen EULEX's presence in the north. We also need to see which role we should play in dialogue”, she said among other things.

Austrian MP from the ranks of the European People's Party group, Lucas Mandle, has said in his speech that, in terms of European values and orientation, “Kosovo is ahead of others, as with values, democracy, as well as civil society”.

The EU's proposal for normalisation of reports between Kosovo and Serbia, this MP has called it “a recognition deco, and something which has been delayed”.

In the debate over Serbia many MPs have reiterated criticism of the lack of progress in adopting this state's policies with those of the EU, for sanctioning Russia, following the start of the war in Ukraine in February of last year.

Among other things, in the draft of the report drafted by Violet von Cromon, the long-awaited agreement on visa liberalisation for Kosovo citizens” is welcomed.

Under the plan, visa liberalisation for Kosovo citizens will begin on November 1st of this year, if the EU's electronic system for travel authorisation, known in February, goes into operation by then E TIAS, or not later, than on January 1, 2024.

The European Parliament reiterates this time again the call for recognition of Kosovo as a sovereign state by the five European Union countries that have not yet taken such a step.

The text also calls for a genuine commitment to the Government of Kosovo and representatives of Kosovo Serbs for a dialogue that “would strengthen bilateral confidence”.

Also called for implementation of all agreements reached so far in the dialogue, including the one for establishing the Association of Serb majority municipalities.

The European Parliament welcomes Kosovo's adoption with EU positions in foreign and security policy, especially the severe condemnation of Russia's aggression against Ukraine and the implementation of sanctions against Russia and Belarus.

Serbia is urged to support these positions to prove it is oriented towards EU integration. In particular, the report also cites the space Serbia gives some Russian media to function and extend Russian propaganda.

In the European Parliament, there are also proposals for conditioning the continuation of Serbia's membership negotiations with the EU, with support of sanctions on Russia.

MEPs of the European Parliament will have the opportunity by February 15th to hand over their amendments to these reports and then be voted for and for the overall report.