Eurodeputs demand EU clear Kosovo European integration process

On Thursday, at the EP Foreign Policy Commission, Kosovo rapporteur Riho Terras presented his annual draft report on the situation in Kosovo and its progress towards the EU.

During the debate, the expectation was made that Kosovo will soon be constitutionalised, following the February 9th parliamentary elections, and forming Government.

As the EU's punitive measures towards Kosovo was criticised, it was urged to keep the focus in the region, especially in Kosovo, at the time, as it was said, challenging circumstances in Europe and the world.

Rapporteur Terras said he expects the EU to take on the most active role in the Western Balkans and that the new European Commission and its senior representative, Kaya Kallas, will be at the helm of this commitment.

He said the EU should remove measures on Kosovo that were taken in 2023, due to the tense situation in the Serb-run north country because they, according to him, are not correct.

Terras demanded that the five EU countries, which have not recognised Kosovo, do so in order to speed up Kosovo's EU integration process.

Kosovo is the only country in the Western Balkans that is not a candidate for membership in this bloc.

The shadowy rapporteur from the Socialist and Democratic Group, Elio Di Rupo, who was also an observer of elections in Kosovo, said the process was of a high quality, with high standards.

He said the media in Kosovo are facing challenges and that there should be more progress even in the fight against corruption.

Di Rupo said reports between Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, and Serbia's president, Aleksandar Vuciq, are difficult for historical causes. He said Kurti was imprisoned by Serbia's regime, but added that this must be overcome so that dialogue for normalising their relations can move forward.

Natalie Loisao spoke on behalf of the Liberal Group and supported the text of the draft report.

Loiseo was chief EU monitors in the February 9th elections in Kosovo.

She demanded that dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia be revived and that the parties implement the obligations taken.

She too said it is necessary for all EU countries to recognise Kosovo and demanded that the bloc clarify Kosovo's European path, so that, as she said, Kosovo does not remain a grey zone.

Davor Ivo Stier, chief of the parliamentary delegation for Kosovo, also demanded the removal of measures against Kosovo, saying that “this unbalannized EU approach to Kosovo and Serbia”, especially after the attack on Banjska in September 2023, hinders progress in dialogue.

European Commission representative Jiri Plecity, head of the unit for Kosovo and Serbia at the Directorate of Enlargement, welcomed the development of elections in Kosovo, but expressed regret over the delays in the vote count.

He said he expects the new government to be formed as soon as possible, to continue with reforms and to normalise reports with Serbia.

The European Commission, on the other hand, agrees with the main parts of the report.

He welcomed Kosovo's actions to overcome obstacles that were presented in the Free Trade Agreement in Central Europe, CEFTA.

Zuzana Michalchiva Sutiakova, as the representative of the EU Foreign Action Service (EEAS), cited harsh rhetoric during the election campaign in Kosovo and problems with counting votes, but said these should not overshadow the main positive points, proving that Kosovo was and remains functional democracy.

She said these elections would have to mark the first step of returning Serbs to Kosovo institutions.

We expect the transition of the Assembly and Government. After the elections we would like to score a new moment on Kosovo's road towards the EU. As the commission is expressed [for enlargement] Marta Kos and senior representative, Kallas, are willing to consider Kosovo's application for EU membership once we receive a mandate for that from the Council. Progress in reports with Serbia is an undisputed condition. The dialogue has no alternative”, Michacchiva Sutakova said.

Neither the EEAS representative nor the European Commission mentioned the removal of measures against Kosovo, though this was among the most frequent demands of European Parliament deputies.

Draft-report for Kosovo praises Kosovo's commitment to EU integration. The document says that Kosovo's future is in the EU and that efforts to get the country out of a grey zone are in the interest of both Kosovo and the EU.

It underlines a significant <x0...progress in the field of justice, security and freedoms, in the fight against organised crime and in the functioning of market economy”, but expresses regret at the “limited progress” in the rule of law.

In the draft report, once again, it is required by the EU to lift punitive measures against Kosovo, which include freezing some funds and suspending high-level meetings.

“We call for the immediate removal of EU measures towards Kosovo, which are no longer reasonable and are in conflict with Kosovo's proven devotion to European values and with its compliance with EU policies”, the document says.

The European Parliament also supports Kosovo's application for membership in the Council of Europe and the plan to join NATO's Partnership for Peace programme.

The report expresses concern for Kosovo's counterproductive situation in corruption and requires that, apart from legal reforms, there be visible results in investigations and cases' sentences.

Serious concern is also expressed about the systematic weaknesses of Kosovo's justice system, especially in terms of independence and respect for the division of powers.

“extenuating concern over delays in court cases and criticism by Government officials over decisions in individual cases”, the draft report said.

Concern is also expressed about the security situation in northern Kosovo, especially after the armed attack on Banjska in September 2023, and the attack on Iber-Lepenci Canal in November 2024.

The report requires that leaders of these violent acts be brought to justice.

It expresses regret that Serbia has not brought to justice “the leaders of the terrorist attack in Banjska, including former Serbian List Vice-President Milan Radociq”.

As for the media situation, the report cites the existence of a pluralistic environment and highlights the role of the Independent Media Commission, whose autonomy “should be strongly preserved”.

More transparency in ownership and media financing is required in the report, while serious concern over cases of attacks on journalists is expressed.

The document also expresses support for the dialogue process for normalising reports between Kosovo and Serbia, and welcomes Peter Sorensen's appointment to the post of EU special envoy for the dialogue.

Serbia urged to prove commitment to EU integration
The draft report for Serbia, prepared by Croatian rapporteur Tonino Picaula, was also presented at this session of the European Parliament's Foreign Policy Commission.

This document says Serbia should testify with its behaviour that it is truly committed to EU integration.

It is also required to respect the right to peaceful protests and to cut off charges against EU countries, that they stand behind student protests, who call for responsibility for the deaths of 15 people from the collapse of the Novi Sad Hekurudor Station last November.

Serbia, too, is required progress in normalising reports with Kosovo.

Picula, in this case, called for quick measures against the heads of the Banjska attack, including against Radochisic.

Representatives of the European Commission, including those of the Foreign Action Service, underlined that Serbia's progress in EU membership negotiations will particularly depend on progress in normalising reports with Kosovo and on rule of law.

After presenting these draft reports to the European Parliament's Foreign Policy Commission, MPs will have the opportunity until March 6th to also submit amendments to these documents.

For them, then, it will be first voted at the parliamentary Commission by early April, and then at the plenary session, where reports will be adopted as resolution of the European Parliament. /Radio Free Europe