European Parliament Seeks Removal of Punishment Measures against Kosovo

This draft report praises Kosovo's commitment to integration into the European Union, while stressing 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.

This draft report also supports Kosovo's application for EU membership and is invited to member states, which have not recognised Kosovo, to do so without further delays.

The document, which Terras wrote after consultations with partners and taking into account European Commission findings, underscores <x0-progress significant in the field of justice, security and freedoms, the fight against organised crime and the functioning of the market economy”, but expresses regret over the limited progress in rule of law, reports the report. Radio Free Europe.

This draft report is once again required by the EU to lift punitive measures against Kosovo, which it took in June 2023, due to tensions in the country's Serb-run north.

These include freezing some EU funds and suspending high-level meetings with Kosovo officials.

“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 power divisions.

“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.

After presenting this draft to the European Parliament's Foreign Policy Commission, MPs will also be able to submit amendments to it.

Then, they will first be voted into the Parliamentary Commission, and then the report will be adopted as the European Parliament resolution.