The European Union Committee of the Regions has decided to stop using the asterisk in reference to Kosovo in its official documents and communications. At the same time, the Committee has called for the removal of EU measures previously imposed on Kosovo.
According to the Association of Kosovo Municipalities (AKK), in its latest opinion on the 2025 EU Enlargement Package for the Western Balkans and Turkey, the Committee confirmed that the official designation “Kosovo” will now be used without an asterisk, ending the previous practice of writing *“Kosovo”**.
This decision aligns the Committee with the European Parliament, which already uses the designation “Kosovo” without an asterisk in its official documents.
In the same opinion, the Committee called on the European Commission to lift EU measures affecting Kosovo, noting that these measures have directly impacted municipalities and citizens. With the return of democratic participation at the local level following the 2025 local elections, the original reasons for imposing these measures no longer exist, the Committee said.
The Committee of the Regions also commended the successful organization of Kosovo’s local elections in 2025, highlighting that the participation of all communities strengthened the legitimacy of municipal institutions and the functioning of local democracy.
The AKK emphasized its active role in promoting local governance within European processes, raising issues affecting Kosovo’s municipalities in EU institutions, and fostering cooperation between Kosovo municipalities and European institutions.
Sazan Ibrahimi, Executive Director of AKK, described the development as highly significant for Kosovo.
“This is excellent news for Kosovo and our municipalities. It is encouraging to see European institutions recognize the role of local government and the impact their decisions have on citizens at the local level. The Committee of the Regions’ decision to use the name ‘Kosovo’ without an asterisk is also an important institutional milestone at the European level,” he said.
The AKK confirmed it will continue its active engagement to strengthen the role of municipalities in European integration and to represent local interests in EU institutions.
