The Italian Embassy: Kosovo must be removed gradually

Despite that EU High Representative Josep Borrell, through his report delivered to member states, has recommended lifting the measures against Kosovo, such a thing still happened.

Within member states there is a unified attitude toward their departure. Some require complete removal, some gradual. The gradual removal is demanding Italy of Prime Minister Giorgia Melon.

In a response to Gazeta Express from the Italian Embassy in Pristina, official Rome has confirmed it supports the removal of EU measures against Kosovo and believe the removal should take place gradually.

<x0thlalia supports the removal of measures imposed by the EU on Kosovo and, in accordance with conclusions adopted at the Council in Brussels in December, we believe this should be done gradually”, the Italy Embassy in Pristina told Express.

As for whether Italy has made any proposals about what the removal of measures could start with, the Italian Embassy have said they could not provide any specific information at this stage.

“Dictions are continuing, so it is not possible to give any specific indicators at this stage”, they have said from Italy's Embassy in Pristina.

Regarding the removal of measures Wednesday for Gazette Express, the German Embassy in Pristina has also spoken. spokesman Christian Boettcher has said that official Berlin supports removing the measures against Kosovo and has added that it is in the hands of the Government of Kosovo to create a positive atmosphere to ensure the necessary consensus in the Council.

There have been reports called to sources in the media that even President Emmanuel Macron's France is for gradual removal of measures against Kosovo.

Kosovo continues to be under European Union measures since June 2023. EU High Representative Josep Borell has drafted a report through which he has recommended lifting the measures against Kosovo, yet it already remains in the hands of each member state except how to proceed further with the measures.

“Taking into account the steps Kosovo has taken towards meeting the EU requirements expressed in the June 3rd statement of 2023, the high representative recommends that the Council take the stance of removing measures against Kosovo, at the same time respecting institutional pregnition”, says the Borell report on the recommendation for Kosovo to remove measures which the Spanish has handed over to member states in June.

The EU had decided to sanction Kosovo with measures after the Kosovo government under the direction of Prime Minister Albin Kurti Sʹ had respected the demands of the allies, the US and QUINT, not to take Albanian mayors to municipal facilities in the country's four cities north.