European Parliament rapporteur for Kosovo Riho Terras has said that the country’s political deadlock cost it approximately a year and a half of lost progress on reforms, expressing hope that the functioning of Kosovo’s institutions will now help restore political stability and accelerate its European integration process.
Terras delivered his remarks at a meeting of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, where European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos presented the European Commission’s 2026 Enlargement Report.
In his initial assessment, Terras described the Commission’s report on Kosovo as appropriate, saying it clearly identified problems that had also been highlighted in the European Parliament’s report last year.
“Reforms and progress have stalled, primarily because of the political deadlock, which has essentially cost Kosovo a year and a half,” Terras said.
He noted that the situation had since improved, with Kosovo successfully electing and establishing its institutions in accordance with the Constitution.
“Today, the situation has improved and Kosovo has managed to elect and put its institutions into operation, in line with the Constitution. It now has a functioning Assembly, government and president. This raises hopes for greater stability — something the country urgently needs,” he said.
Terras stressed that political stability was essential to creating the momentum needed to implement reforms.
He also called on the European Commission to actively support Kosovo following the prolonged political deadlock and to treat the country as an equal partner.
“I sincerely hope that, following this deadlock, the European Commission will actively engage in supporting Kosovo, treating it as an equal partner. We need to restart the Prishtina-Belgrade dialogue,” Terras said.
He further emphasized the importance of working with EU member states that have not yet recognized Kosovo’s independence.
“We also need to work with the EU countries that have not yet recognized Kosovo’s statehood,” he added.
Terras’s remarks come as Kosovo seeks to regain momentum in its reform agenda and advance its European integration process following a prolonged period of institutional and political uncertainty.
