European Parliament calls for lifting measures against Kosovo unwarranted

The European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Commission has approved the draft report for Kosovo's progress on the road to the EU during 2023 and 2024.

Eurodeputs have noted that Kosovo has made evident advances in electoral reforms, in economic sustainability and protection of fundamental rights, but have suggested that challenges remain in judicial reform, media freedom, administration efficiency and digitisation of public services.

Report passed to the Foreign Affairs Commission 48 votes for Wednesday. 19 were opposed, and six abstained.

In the report, it says that Kosovo dialogue -- Serbia has yielded expected results.

It is said that Kosovo's determination to join the European Union has been constant, and all efforts to extract Kosovo from the grey “ ” are in the interest of both Kosovo and the EU.

It also fully supports Kosovo's application for membership in the Council of Europe and the strategic goal of joining NATO's Partnership for Peace, and also efforts to join international organisations.

Progress made in judging corruption cases has been welcomed in the report. But it has been called on Kosovo to improve the Special Prosecutor's capacity to investigate and prosecute cases of high profile organised crime.

In the report, Eurodeputs have called for the immediate removal of EU measures against Kosovo.

The measures are reportedly not justified, as Kosovo has met EU requirements.

Eurodeputs say the measures are in great opposition to Kosovo's dedication to European values and are hindering the trustful resumption of the Kosovo dialogue, Serbia.

It is highlighted in the report that the dialogue has brought the expected results and have asked Kosovo and Serbia to implement the Brussels and Ohrid agreements, including the establishment of the Association of Serb majority municipalities, and Serbia has also lifted objections to Kosovo's membership in regional and international organisations.

Both countries have been urged to avoid unilateral actions that could undermine the dialogue process.

It is clear that Kosovo's integration process needs a new moment we need a new chapter in talks between Pristina and Belgrade. It is extremely positive that in Kosovo's political landscape, all major parties are strongly in favour of EU integration. Kosovo's future is in the European family and we will work together on the reform agenda, as any future membership should be based on”, European Parliament rapporteur Riho Terras has said.

Meanwhile, in the report adopted for Serbia on Wednesday, Eurodeputs have called on Serbia to seriously show “its strategic orientation towards the EU.
The report for Serbia has been voted by 55 votes, 13 against 8 abstentions in the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Commission.

It has been found that there is no progress in critical areas for EU membership.

Serbia's close relations with Russia have been noted. Eurodeputs have called on the EU to review Serbia's financial assistance move if it continues to support anti-democratic ideologies and fails to comply with EU sanctions and its common foreign and security policy.

Corruption has been claimed to continue to be a major obstacle.

The general root of membership negotiations also depends on Serbia's commitment to Belgrade's (Pristina) dialogue, which must be held in trust to secure a legally binding agreement based on mutual recognition”, It says in the report. 

The rapporteur for Serbia in the European Parliament, Tonino Picaula, has said that a long political crisis, intensified by lack of progress in the fundamental criteria, is having a direct impact on Serbia's progress towards EU membership.

Serbia has long tried to get the best of EU funds, bypassing our main values and geopolitical orientations. The enlargement process is based on meritocracy, and Serbia's progress can have a positive impact on the region”, Picula said. /Periscopi/