Members of the European Parliament have adopted a report on Kosovo, encouraging the country to pursue reforms to advance toward EU membership, while also calling for a new chapter in the normalization dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade.
“It is clear that Kosovo’s integration process needs renewed momentum – we need a new chapter in the dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade. It is extremely positive that all major political parties in Kosovo strongly support EU integration. Kosovo’s future lies in the European family, and we will work together on the reform agenda, as any future accession must be merit-based,” said Riho Terras, the European Parliament’s rapporteur for Kosovo.
According to MEPs, the dialogue aimed at normalizing relations between Kosovo and Serbia “has unfortunately not yielded the expected results.” They urged both sides to implement the Brussels and Ohrid agreements, including the establishment of the Association of Serb-Majority Municipalities, and for Serbia to stop opposing Kosovo’s membership in regional and international organizations.
Due to the crisis in northern Kosovo, which escalated tensions between the two countries, no rounds of high-level political dialogue have been held in Brussels since September 2023—only technical talks at the chief negotiators’ level have taken place.
The EU has consistently reiterated that normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia is a prerequisite for both countries’ European integration paths.
Recently, the EU’s new foreign affairs and security chief, Kaja Kallas, stated that Brussels is reviewing mistakes made in the dialogue process, which began in 2011.
In its report on Kosovo, the European Parliament noted that the country has made significant progress in electoral reform, economic resilience, and the protection of fundamental rights.
However, challenges remain in areas such as judicial reform, media freedom, the efficiency of public administration, and the digitalization of public services. MEPs stressed that continued commitment to comprehensive reforms and inclusive governance is essential for Kosovo’s progress on the path to European integration.
MEPs also warned that Kosovo has been targeted by foreign interference and disinformation campaigns, particularly from Russia and China, aimed at destabilizing the region and obstructing the EU integration of the Western Balkans.
Therefore, “the European Parliament calls on the Government of Kosovo to strengthen its capacities to combat these threats,” the report said.
On May 7, MEPs also adopted a report on Serbia, calling on it to improve internal political dialogue, uphold the rule of law, and carry out anti-corruption reforms.
Regarding the dialogue with Kosovo, the report stated that Serbia “must work toward achieving a comprehensive normalization agreement with Kosovo,” and must also “fully align its foreign policy with that of the EU.”
