The outgoing European Union envoy for the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, Miroslav Lajčak, today held a farewell meeting with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in the Foreign Affairs Committee, where he discussed his five-year mandate as the EU’s representative for the dialogue aimed at normalizing relations between Kosovo and Serbia.
During this meeting, the majority of MEPs were critical of the EU’s approach to the dialogue and its overall relations with the states involved.
Most of the MEPs expressed that the punitive measures imposed by the EU on Kosovo have negatively impacted the dialogue facilitated by the EU.
They also criticized the lack of similar measures against Serbia, especially after the armed attack in Banjska in 2023.
It is reported that during the meeting, the MEPs once again called for the removal of the measures imposed on Kosovo in 2023 due to tensions in the northern part of Kosovo, which has a Serbian majority, and for a more balanced approach by the EU.
High-ranking officials in Kosovo, including President Vjosa Osmani and Prime Minister Albin Kurti, have repeatedly criticized Lajčak and former EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell for bias in the dialogue, while also calling for the removal of the punitive measures.
According to reports from REL, Lajčak agreed with the MEPs’ assessment that the measures against Kosovo should have been lifted and mentioned that he had requested their removal immediately after the attack in Banjska. However, he explained that the decision was not within his control and was up to the EU member states.
It should be noted that the European Union has repeatedly stated that the punitive measures against Kosovo, which were imposed in 2023, are temporary and could be lifted depending on actions on the ground.
According to officials in the European Commission, the agreement of all EU member states is necessary for the removal of the measures.
This was confirmed by EU spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy, Peter Stano, on November 15.
“The answer is the same as last time. The matter is being examined in the Council, and it will be decided by the member states regardless of when the new institutions take office,” Stano responded when asked whether the punitive measures against Kosovo would be lifted before the current European Commission’s mandate ends or if it would wait for the new Commission’s composition.
