President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, reiterated accusations that Serbia and Russia continue to attempt to destabilize Kosovo and the region. Osmani made this statement after participating in the fourth Summit of the European Political Community held at Blenheim Palace in the United Kingdom.
“We have been at the table with many other leaders, discussing the defense of democracy and combating disinformation. Although our state has never allowed Russian influence or other malign forces, as long as our neighboring state, Serbia, is used as a satellite of Russia and unfortunately still adheres to a mentality of past centuries, they will continue to try to destabilize not only our state but also the entire region and thereby the entire European continent,” said Osmani.
Osmani, along with other leaders of Kosovo’s institutions, has recently intensified warnings that Russia, through Serbia, is seeking to destabilize Kosovo. Osmani has previously referred to Serbia as “Russia’s extended hand,” which is trying to play “Putin’s games, opening a new front against the West.”
President Osmani stated that during the Summit in the United Kingdom, she met with many European leaders, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, with whom she discussed Kosovo’s Euro-Atlantic integration, Kosovo’s steps towards membership in the Council of Europe, and how to combat Russian influence.
Osmani described the European Political Community Summit as important, although she noted it is not a formal summit in the context of decision-making, but significant because 46 European leaders participated.
During the summit, leaders discussed support for Ukraine, which is facing invasion initiated by Russia, migration, energy security, and the threat posed by Russia. The European Political Community was launched about two years ago. The first meeting was held in Prague in 2022, when the Czech Republic held the rotating presidency of the European Union; the second in Chisinau, Moldova, in June 2023, and the third in Granada, Spain, in October 2023.
All Western Balkan countries are regular participants in the European Political Community, including Kosovo, despite the forum having been held in the past in two states that do not recognize Kosovo’s independence: Moldova and Spain. The idea for its creation was first mentioned by French President Emmanuel Macron, followed by the current President of the European Council, Charles Michel.
The European Political Community is not a formal organization but serves as a forum where European leaders gather at least once a year to discuss issues of common interest. When the idea was first mentioned, there were doubts whether this community would be used as an alternative for EU expansion. However, the EU has ensured that the European Political Community does not aim to replace the EU enlargement process in any way, nor does it compete with existing organizations, structures, or processes.
