Despite more than a month since EU High Representative Josep Borrell submitted his report on lifting measures against Kosovo to the European Council, member states have yet to make a decision. The EU states that discussions in the Council are ongoing, but no timeline for a decision has been provided. Meanwhile, the Kosovo government argues that some EU member states are unnecessarily delaying and misusing the lifting of measures. They assert that since conditions have been met, there is no need for gradual removal or continued maintenance of these measures; they should be completely and immediately lifted.
In a written response, an EU spokesperson confirmed that discussions regarding the report recommending the removal of punitive measures against Kosovo are still ongoing, without specifying when a final decision will be made.
“The High Representative’s report on Kosovo’s fulfillment of EU requirements, expressed in the June 3, 2023 Declaration (High Representative’s Declaration on behalf of the EU), was sent to member states, and the first discussion took place in June. The Council had invited the High Representative to prepare such a report in its December 2023 conclusions. The report is a confidential document and will not be made public. The High Representative recommends lifting the measures for Kosovo, as he emphasized in the FAC press conference on June 24, 2024. Discussions in the Council are ongoing,” the response stated.
However, Klisman Kadiu, media advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration, Besnik Bislimi, demands the immediate lifting of the measures.
“The measures have been unjust from the first day. Keeping these measures in place despite the positive recommendation from the EU High Representative, Mr. Josep Borrell, is now senseless. It was Mr. Borrell’s letter on June 3, 2023, that set the conditions for imposing measures on Kosovo, followed by the Bratislava agreement. The same High Representative Borrell, who initially proposed these measures, has for over a month now confirmed that all conditions have been met and that the measures should be lifted. There was never full clarity about the modalities of imposing the measures, and now even their removal is being unnecessarily delayed and misused. Since the conditions have been met, there is no need for gradual removal, let alone maintaining them; they should be entirely and immediately lifted,” he wrote in a statement.
He added that warnings about the opening of the Ibar Bridge have no connection to the delay in lifting the measures.
According to him, the opening of the Ibar Bridge is provided for in the Brussels agreements, and it would be absurd to maintain or impose measures on Kosovo for implementing an agreement reached within the Brussels dialogue.
“The opening of the bridge has no connection to the measures. It is provided for in the Brussels agreements. In such an alleged case, it would be absurd to maintain or impose measures on Kosovo for implementing an agreement reached within the Brussels dialogue,” Kadiu stated.
On the other hand, PDK MP Ariana Musliu-Shoshi believes the measures should be lifted but holds the Kosovo government responsible for their imposition.
Musliu-Shoshi: The Kosovo Government is to Blame, Not the EU
“The Kosovo government is to blame, not the EU, even though we are convinced that it is not right for Kosovo to have measures from the EU. The actions of the Kosovo government have led the EU to impose specific and severe measures on our Republic. I believe that the approach towards EU institutions should change, as well as the way we communicate and interact. We should never take actions, no matter how sovereign and rightful they are if they are not in alignment with our international allies,” she said.
Meanwhile, international relations professor Afrim Hoti believes that despite the delays, the European Council will soon reach a consensus on lifting the measures against Kosovo.
Hoti: A Solution for Lifting the Measures Will Be Found Soon
“It is unfortunate that this consensus has not yet been reached. There is no doubt that it will be found soon, but the delays so far have naturally produced consequences,” Hoti emphasized.
Measures against Kosovo were imposed following tensions in the northern part of Kosovo when elected Albanian mayors in four northern municipalities were escorted to their offices by Kosovo police.
