Riho Terras, the European Parliament rapporteur for Kosovo and a former Estonian army general, has announced a serious initiative aimed at pressuring the five EU member states that have yet to recognize Kosovo’s independence.
Terras plans to launch a targeted campaign directed at Slovakia, Spain, Greece, Romania, and Cyprus—countries known as the “EU-5” that still withhold recognition of the Republic of Kosovo. According to Klan Kosova, the goal is to shift their stance and promote unity within the European Union regarding Kosovo’s statehood.
This move was welcomed by former Minister of European Integration, Mimoza Ahmetaj, who called the initiative important. She emphasized that without full recognition from all EU members, Kosovo’s path toward integration remains blocked.
Currently, Kosovo has signed a Stabilization and Association Agreement with the EU, but its bid for candidate status—submitted in December 2022—has not progressed since.
So far, 119 countries have recognized Kosovo’s independence, with the latest recognition coming from Sudan on April 13.
