After Marta Kos' visit, Politico: Kosovo urges EU to grant candidate country status

Kos reiterated EU support for Kosovo and its country in Europe, encouraging the country to normalise relations with Serbia and continue implementing reforms to begin EU membership negotiations, writes Polytico.

There can be no security in Europe without Kosovo”, Kos said.

Slovenian politician took office in 2024, but she postponed her visit to Kosovo due to political developments as the country prepares to hold third elections in just over a year.

“Kosovo urgently needs to reach pace with EU-related priorities”, said Kos during a press conference with incumbent Prime Minister Albin Kurti in Pristina.

Kosovo needs stable institutions and an effective “government, she added.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 and applied for EU membership in 2022, but there are still major obstacles on its way to obtain candidate status.

Five EU nations Spain, Greece, Romania, Slovakia and Cyprus still do not recognise Kosovo, while Belgrade also refuses to recognise its independence, which prevents normalisation of relations between the two sides.

Both issues remain key to Kosovo's path towards the EU, and its political instability has also hampered its progress, as it will hold early elections on June 7th after its government collapsed as it was unable to elect a president.

“Around 41 months after we applied for EU membership, it is time for Kosovo to obtain candidate status and open accession negotiations”, Kurti wrote on social networks.

The EU accession process will further consolidate Kosovo's democracy, increase economic growth and improve the well-being of our citizens, which is a common goal and a mutual interest”, it has stressed. /Periscope