Kosovo waiting to clear EU measures, hopes improvements in the north

Kosovo's incumbent government is awaiting further steps by the European Union for the complete removal of punitive measures, while the first positive developments have already begun. The EU has gradually begun removing several measures, while warning that further steps will depend on a steady de-scaling of the situation in the country's north.

Under gradual removal, they are expected to resume subcommittee meetings of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement and return technical assistance projects through the Investigative Framework for the Western Balkans, including areas such as energy and infrastructure.

EU High Representative for Foreign Policy Kaya Kallas, during a visit to Kosovo on 21 May, confirmed the start of this process, while European Commission spokeswoman Anita Hyper, told Kosovo that the decisions would depend on real progress on the ground.

Klisman Cadiu, adviser to incumbent Deputy Prime Minister Besnik Bislimi, considers this a positive development, but stresses that the measures must be completely removed, since they have been wrongly deployed since 2023, following the escalation of tensions in the north.

Meanwhile, European affairs connoisseur and former diplomat Alma Lama emphasise that there is support from most member states for lifting the measures, but emphasises the need for strong lobbies on the part of Kosovo, as the current political crisis could negatively affect the process./Periscopi/