European media: Kosovo soon put sanctions, including visa suspension

The renowned European news site “Euroactiv” has reported on the possibility that Kosovo will soon face international sanctions, relying on high diplomatic sources.

This site reportedly was informed by a high source from a third country last week that the EU and the US were preparing a number of sanctions against Kosovo. This was later empowered by comments by Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, and by diplomatic sources, which confirmed that sanctions are near.

Sanctions mentioned in an internal diplomatic letter offered by a source include freezing EU funds, cutting off the visa liberalisation process and processes for membership in international institutions. These include taking a passive stance by Kosovo allies on Serbia's campaign to recognise our country's independence, reshuffle of the international military presence, and a serious reduction of the American contingent.

Individual sanctions against Kosovo leaders and high-level officials are also mentioned, but it is found that they would only be used in the worst case scenario, because possible sanctions would be imposed in phases.

The source called on the opposition to support the EU and the US in their efforts to stabilise the situation and also to declare whether it supports Kosovo's obligations in the EU-backed dialogue.

Another diplomatic source told “Euro-European” that he is aware of a document presenting the possible sanctions being circulated and, although he could not say if the document was officially signed, they were really the measures being discussed by last Sunday.