The European Union has also reacted following the second round of local elections in Kosovo.
In a press briefing, the spokesperson of the European Commission, Annita Hipper, stated that the EU welcomes the orderly and inclusive conduct of the mayoral runoffs held on Sunday.
“We welcome the regular and inclusive conduct of the mayoral runoff elections on Sunday and call for the swift certification and implementation of the election results,” Hipper said.
However, the most crucial issue for Kosovo remains separate from the electoral process itself — the lifting of EU measures continues to depend on the situation in the north of the country.
Regarding the restrictive measures against Kosovo, Hipper noted that the European Commission had already taken several steps toward a gradual removal of these measures since May 2025.
“The Commission has taken several steps for the gradual lifting of the measures in place since May 2025. More specifically, four technical assistance projects have been re-selected for potential future investment under the Reform and Growth Facility. The next steps will depend on the sustainability of de-escalation efforts in northern Kosovo,” she added.
The continuation of the normalization process and the reduction of tensions in the north remain key preconditions for the full removal of the measures imposed on Kosovo — which currently include the suspension of certain financial projects and the participation of Kosovo’s institutions in specific EU programs.
