Kosovo’s caretaker government is awaiting the European Union to begin the phased lifting of sanctions, starting with the resumption of functioning and meetings of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) subcommittees with Kosovo, and with technical assistance projects under the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), which cover areas such as energy, infrastructure, and others.
This was confirmed by the EU itself to KosovaPress, though they emphasized that further steps for the full lifting of measures will depend on a sustainable de-escalation in the north of the country.
EU High Representative for Foreign Policy, Kaja Kallas, during her visit to Kosovo on May 21, announced that punitive measures against Kosovo had begun to be gradually lifted.
Klisman Kadiu, advisor to the caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Besnik Bislimi, stated that the lifting of measures is good news. He told KosovaPress which would be the first measures to be removed. However, he added that they should be fully lifted as soon as possible, as they were imposed unfairly. The EU imposed punitive measures on Kosovo in 2023, following increased tensions in the north of the country.
“The measures against Kosovo were unfairly imposed at the end of June two years ago. For almost a year now, we also have a recommendation from the former High Representative, Josep Borrell, for their lifting. It is good news, albeit delayed, that the European Union has begun lifting punitive measures against Kosovo. As also communicated by High Representative Kaja Kallas, they are being lifted gradually. From our side, we reiterate that the measures should be lifted as soon as possible and completely. As part of this process, the EU will soon begin with the functioning and holding of SAA subcommittee meetings with Kosovo, as well as with technical assistance projects under the Western Balkans Investment Framework, which include areas such as energy, infrastructure, and others,” his written response to KosovaPress stated.
Meanwhile, European Union spokesperson Anitta Hipper told KosovaPress that the European Commission has taken the first steps towards lifting some of the measures. She stated that further steps for the full lifting of measures will depend on progress on the ground in accordance with the EU’s expectations for the situation in the north.
“In December 2024, the Council stated that the EU would gradually lift the measures, in parallel with Kosovo’s further steps to de-escalate tensions in the north. In this regard, the Commission has already taken the first steps towards lifting some of the measures. The next steps depend on progress on the ground and are conditional on a sustainable de-escalation in the north,” she emphasized.
