a minute agoEP approves report for Kosovo, the unnecessary “intervention” of policy in the judiciary is mentioned
Periskopi(3 years ago)
(3 years ago)The European Parliament's Foreign Policy Commission has adopted today's Kosovo report and amendments submitted by MPs to this report. The report's draft was presented by Violet Von Cran-Taubdel, who is reporting for Kosovo to the European Parliament(PE), while over 300 amendments from various MPs have been submitted in this report. Report for [...]
The report's draft was presented by Violet Von Cran-Taubdel, who is reporting for Kosovo to the European Parliament(PE), while over 300 amendments from various MPs have been submitted in this report.
The report on Kosovo was approved by 44 votes per, 8 against and 3 abstentions.
The report contains general points similar to previous years' reports, but also takes into account developments that have already taken place. This report welcomes Kosovo's application for membership in the European Union, reflecting the pro-European orientation of its citizens and the clear geopolitical definition.
Meanwhile, the long-awaited decision on visa liberalisation for Kosovo citizens, which the process closed on Tuesday 25 April, when the decision was also published in the EU Official Journal, as it was earlier signed by Parliament and the EU Council.
The European Parliament has insisted for many years that visa liberalisation take place as soon as possible. Finally, reconciliation was reached between the EP and the EU Council on the issue.
A call that the European Parliament repeats each year in reports on Kosovo is included in the text this time. This is the call for recognising Kosovo's independence by all European Union member states.
“Fores member states that have not yet recognised Kosovo as a sovereign state, to do so”.
Many amendments have been submitted for this very point, especially by deputies from Spain and other countries who do not recognise Kosovo, trying to remove references to Kosovo's citizenship from the report.
As for the situation in Kosovo, the text says that Kosovo has not had a period of political stability after the 2021 elections and invites Kosovo authorities to take more action to face challenges on European roads.
Here again, the <x0dynamic process of integration will depend on progress that will be achieved for rule of law, fundamental rights and normalisation of reports with Serbia.
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.
Also, The EP also supports Kosovo's application for membership in the Council of Europe and the country's plan to be included in NATO's Partnership for Peace programme.
In this text, commitment to the fight against corruption and organised crime is also welcomed, but concern is expressed about the state of the Judiciary in Kosovo that, according to the text, “continues to be inefficient and sensitive to unnecessary political intervention”.
The regret is expressed about the negative impact the atmosphere has had on political polarisation in the work of the Parliament and is extended to opposition deputies to end the practice of abstention.
As for freedom of expression in Kosovo in the text, the fact is welcomed is that in Kosovo “has a living pluralistic media environment”, but expresses concern for campaigning attacks on investigative journalists. In particular, concern arises over the lack of freedom of expression in northern Kosovo and strongly condemns attacks on journalists in northern municipalities.
The text also calls for a genuine commitment of the Government of Kosovo and representatives of Kosovo Serbs to a dialogue that would strengthen mutual confidence.
As for the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, which takes place in Brussels with EU relief, the call is repeated for the two states to engage in the spirit of compromise to reach a comprehensive, legally binding agreement on normalisation of reports based on mutual recognition, in accordance with international law”.
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 EU is required to make the enlargement process more dynamic, calling it the EU's most successful policy of building peace and stability in the region and Europe.
MEPs of the European Parliament through amendment proposals have sought to strengthen the EU's role in the region. / REL
