The candidate for EU Enlargement Commissioner, Marta Kos, has hinted that the European Union may adjust its approach to the dialogue process aimed at normalizing relations between Kosovo and Serbia.
The new leadership structures proposed by President Ursula von der Leyen for the European Commission are currently undergoing hearings in the European Parliament’s committees. Only after passing these hearings will the proposed names be formally approved by the European Parliament. Von der Leyen has entrusted former Slovenian diplomat Marta Kos with overseeing the EU enlargement process.
Kos stated that “the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia will be in the hands of the EU’s High Representative, Kaja Kallas, and this process must advance.” She continued, “So far, formal progress has been made in the dialogue. We have a framework for normalizing relations between Kosovo and Serbia, and we expect both to move forward with implementation. If progress stalls, we need to explore new approaches.” Kos cited Einstein’s quote, saying, “insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” She added, “I want to see different outcomes and am confident that where there’s a will, there’s a way.”
Kos Rejects Kosovo-Serbia Territorial Exchange
During the parliamentary hearing, MEPs asked Kos if she would consider bringing back the idea of a territory exchange if proposed by a future U.S. administration led by Donald Trump. She categorically rejected the idea, calling it “unacceptable.” “What will happen after January when the new U.S. president takes office remains to be seen. As for territorial exchange ideas—no. If confirmed, neither I nor the European Commission will pursue these trends,” Kos declared, emphasizing that “Europeans need to look at what they can do themselves rather than wait for proposals from others.”
In the ongoing Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, the EU has repeatedly requested that Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti submit the EU’s proposal for the establishment of an Association of Serb-Majority Municipalities (ASM) to the Constitutional Court for interpretation. However, Kurti has refused to establish the ASM based on the EU proposal. “We already have an association of municipalities, and if another is desired, it must be initiated by the municipalities themselves. The Prime Minister does not form or establish associations,” Kurti previously stated.
EU Insists on the ASM
EU spokesperson Peter Stano recently stated to local media in Pristina that “the European Union considers that the Government cannot avoid its responsibilities undertaken in the dialogue process by delegating them to Serb-majority municipalities.” According to Stano, the EU’s proposal, delivered personally to Prime Minister Kurti by the EU facilitator alongside national security advisors from France, Germany, Italy, and the U.S. special representative, outlines a framework for the ASM.
“The Government cannot renounce its responsibilities within the Dialogue or delegate them to Serb-majority municipalities in Kosovo,” said Stano. In October 2023, the EU, supported by member states and partners like the U.S., formally presented a European draft statute for creating the ASM. This draft is grounded in European models, best practices, and Kosovo’s legal framework. It was delivered to Prime Minister Kurti,” Stano reminded, adding that a similar draft was accepted by Prime Minister Kurti and Serbian President Vucic at the October 26, 2023 meeting in Brussels.
The European Union has called on Kosovo to take concrete steps to establish the ASM, while urging Serbia to fulfill its obligations stemming from the normalization agreement with Kosovo.
