2 hours agoEU: Serb turnout in elections, positive signal for removal of measures against Kosovo
Periskopi(8 months ago)
(8 months ago)Following the letter that several civil society organisations in Kosovo have sent to the European Union in demand for the removal of punitive measures against Kosovo, which have been imposed in response to tensions in the country's north in 2023, there has also been an official reaction from the EU. EU spokeswoman Anita Hyper has confirmed that the institution [...]
EU spokeswoman Anita Hyper has confirmed that the institution is aware of this letter and is considering it.
“We are aware of the letter of civil society organisations and we are considering it”, Hyper stressed.
The European Union has welcomed the peaceful development of the first round of local elections in four northern municipalities, which have been held with the participation of all communities.
“We welcome the first round of local elections that took place peacefully, competitive and inclusively, with the participation of all communities”, the EU spokeswoman said again.
According to the EU, these elections constitute a key “synal of de-progression in the north”, which will be taken into account during the further review of the removal of measures against Kosovo.
“This represents an important signal of de-progression in the north, which will be taken into account in the context of further removal of the” measures, Hyper stressed.
The EU has also stressed that it expects the second round of elections to take place in the same way and underlined the importance of a regular transition of local governance.
“We expect the second round of elections to be held the same way, and we expect a regular transition of local governance,” further said in its response to Telegrafi, broadcast Periscope.
Civil society through letter sent to the EU has called for removing measures imposed on Kosovo, arguing that the country has shown commitment to the normalisation of the situation in the north and that progress achieved must be recognised and supported.
The EU punished Kosovo in June 2023, because, as it estimated, the role of the Government of Kosovo in promoting ethnic tensions in the country's north -- the Serb-populated area.
In May of this year, European Union top diplomat Kaya Kallas announced on her first visit to Kosovo that the gradual removal of the measures had begun.
These punitive measures have cost Kosovo about 615m euros in suspended or extended projects indefinitely, while 7.1m euros have been lost after the allowed deadlines have been exceeded, according to a report by the Institute for Advanced Studies { GAP.
Kosovo leaders have repeatedly called on the EU to remove their country's measures, including during European Commission President Ursula von der Leyeen's visit to Pristina days earlier.
