Former President of the European Council, Charles Michel, has said that Kosovo’s path toward European Union membership represents the strongest tool for normalizing relations with Serbia and for reducing regional tensions.
In an interview with Alice Taylor on the Inside Albania Podcast, Michel emphasized that EU accession remains the most effective means of ensuring stability and reconciliation between the two neighboring countries.
“I sincerely believe that the strongest instrument is EU membership. If we want Kosovo and Serbia to show courage domestically, because I know both societies need to convince their citizens that these choices are the best for them, then the best way is to provide them with a clear membership perspective,” Michel said.
He added that EU integration offers not only hope and motivation for leaders and citizens alike but also serves as a path toward long-term peace, mutual understanding, and a forward-looking agenda.
“EU membership, in my view, is the best way to ease tensions, normalize relations, and build a more positive future-oriented agenda,” Michel concluded.
His remarks come amid ongoing efforts by Brussels to revive the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, as both sides face growing international pressure to reach a sustainable agreement.
