Despite the completion of the transfer of local authority in northern Kosovo, the European Union has yet to provide clarity on when—or if—it will lift the restrictive measures imposed on Kosovo, leaving the process politically uncertain and diplomatically unresolved.
EU officials had previously indicated that the orderly transfer of municipal governance in the four northern municipalities would be a key prerequisite for initiating the removal of measures. However, even after this condition has been fulfilled, Brussels continues to avoid committing to a concrete timeline.
One of the most recent draft formulations in the EU Council’s conclusions states that:
“Taking into account the regular transfer of local governance in the four northern municipalities, the Council recalls its conclusions from last year and welcomes the lifting of the remaining measures.”
While this language is notably more positive than earlier drafts, it stops short of confirming an actual decision. Diplomats familiar with the process suggest that there is ongoing reluctance to lift the measures ahead of Kosovo’s local elections scheduled for December 28—a factor that has not been publicly acknowledged by EU institutions.
Gradual or Full Removal Still in Question
A second major uncertainty concerns whether the measures will be lifted in full or only partially. At this stage, indications suggest that the European Commission is preparing to remove only half of the remaining measures, signaling a phased approach rather than a comprehensive reversal.
Consensus among EU member states has not yet been reached on the final wording of the Council conclusions, despite several rounds of consultations held over the past week.
The final text, including the section dedicated to Kosovo, is expected to be adopted at Tuesday’s meeting of EU ministers for European affairs. Until then, Kosovo remains in a position of political compliance without guaranteed political reward, underscoring persistent divisions within the EU over its approach to the country.
