The European Union has warned that the absence of normalized relations between Kosovo and Serbia continues to hinder both countries’ progress toward EU integration, according to the official Brussels Declaration adopted at the EU–Western Balkans Summit.
The declaration, released after the summit, emphasizes that all agreements reached in the EU-mediated dialogue must be fully implemented, particularly the Agreement on the Path to Normalization and its Annex.
“In the absence of normalization between Prishtina and Belgrade, both partners remain blocked on their European path,” the statement reads, underscoring the EU’s insistence on compliance with prior commitments.
The EU also highlighted that support under the Instrument for Reform and Growth for the Western Balkans is conditioned on constructive engagement and measurable progress in the normalization process.
While the declaration was endorsed by the EU and all Western Balkan partners, the document notes that Serbia did not align with the statement, as none of its representatives attended the summit.
The EU’s warning comes amid continued tensions in the region, signaling that both Kosovo and Serbia risk slowing their European integration if unresolved disputes persist.
