European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, has called for the swift formation of institutions in Kosovo to enable progress on European reforms and benefit from the European Growth Plan, Rks News reports.
She emphasized the importance of signing and ratifying agreements linked to the plan, noting that the disbursement of funds depends on the fulfillment of other criteria.
“It is now in Kosovo’s interest to quickly form its institutions in order to advance urgent European reforms. Among them, the signing and ratification of agreements related to the Growth Plan must be treated as a priority by the government and the new assembly. This would allow for the release of funds from this instrument, provided all other criteria are met,” RTK reports her as saying.
These statements were made during a debate on Kosovo in the European Parliament, ahead of a vote on a resolution that includes a call for mutual recognition as part of the dialogue with Serbia. The resolution also urges the five EU member states that have not yet recognized Kosovo’s independence to do so.
The author of the resolution, MEP Riho Terras, demanded the immediate lifting of the EU’s punitive measures against Kosovo.
“We call for the immediate removal of the European Union’s punitive measures. They have been unjust and unnecessary from the beginning. The EU finances many projects and programs designed to support Kosovo’s European agenda. That’s why we must lift the measures and allow Kosovo to advance with the funds we offer,” said Terras.
The resolution expected to be voted on today also mentions the security situation in northern Kosovo, calling for those responsible for acts of violence—including the attack in Banjska and at the Ibër-Lepenc canal—to be brought to justice. It also expresses regret that Serbia has yet to prosecute those responsible for the terrorist attack in Banjska, including Milan Radoičić.
