The European Parliament has adopted its latest enlargement reports for Western Balkan countries, highlighting concerns about the pace of reforms in several candidate and potential candidate states.
Regarding Kosovo and North Macedonia, Members of the European Parliament noted a lack of significant progress since the previous assessment.
In a report adopted by 412 votes in favor, 174 against, and 58 abstentions, MEPs welcomed Kosovo’s continued commitment to its goal of joining the European Union. However, they expressed concern over what they described as the country’s inability to establish a fully functional legislature and government for an extended period.
The report calls on Kosovo’s authorities to accelerate EU-related reforms, particularly in the areas of:
- Rule of law
- Fundamental freedoms and human rights
- Anti-corruption measures
- Institutional effectiveness and governance
MEPs also stressed that the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia remains essential for Kosovo’s European integration ambitions. The report underlines the importance of implementing the agreements reached through the Brussels Agreement and the Ohrid Agreement.
Other Western Balkan Countries
The report notes that:
- Montenegro aims to become an EU member by 2028.
- Albania hopes to conclude accession negotiations by 2027.
- Political leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina are urged to overcome political deadlock and renew their commitment to EU integration.
The European Parliament’s assessment reflects continued support for the enlargement process while emphasizing that progress toward membership depends on concrete reforms, democratic governance, judicial independence, and alignment with European standards.
