In its annual report on the enlargement process, the European Commission demands that both Kosovo and Serbia immediately implement the normalization agreement reached last year, as well as all previous agreements, without further delays or preconditions.
“From Kosovo, we expect the initiation of the process leading to the establishment of the Association of municipalities with a Serbian majority based on the European proposal presented on October 21, 2023. Meanwhile, Serbia is expected to fulfill its obligations from the agreement while simultaneously starting the process of recognizing Kosovo’s documents, symbols, and institutions,” the report states.
The report, which annually evaluates the developments in countries seeking integration, criticizes what it describes as the uncoordinated actions of the Kosovo government in the north, stating that these actions have harmed its relations with the Serbian community.
It notes that the situation in northern Kosovo has been characterized by high tensions during the reporting period.
“Kosovo has consistently taken actions contrary to its obligations arising from the dialogue, including police operations against offices and services supported by Serbia, the Central Bank regulation on cash currency, banning the use of any currency other than the euro, as well as the closure of Serbian Post offices,” the report adds.
Kosovo and Serbia are urged to constructively engage in opening the main bridge over the Ibar in Mitrovica for vehicular movement, with the EU reiterating that any decision or action regarding this must be made in coordination within the dialogue framework and alongside security partners.
The report highlights that the European Union’s punitive measures against Kosovo remain in effect, although it is noted that the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, has proposed their removal.
In the section regarding Serbia, the report emphasizes the attack by a group of armed Serbs on the Kosovo police on September 24 of the previous year as the most serious escalation of the situation in the north, underscoring that “the normalization process continues to be affected by Serbia’s insufficient steps to ensure accountability.”
The progress report warns that the normalization of relations remains a fundamental condition on the European path for both countries, which risk losing significant opportunities in the absence of progress.
Kosovo is the last in the integration processes and the only country in the Western Balkan region that does not have candidate status, although it submitted its request in December 2022. The European Commission expresses readiness to prepare an opinion on this request as soon as it is requested by the EU Council.
The report acknowledges Kosovo’s progress in “the fight against organized crime, improving the business environment, and visa liberalization,” and calls for increased efforts “to strengthen the rule of law, public administration, and protect freedom of expression.”
“The government should work to create bipartisan political support to more effectively pursue reforms related to the European Union,” the report states.
The EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, said at a press conference that the Russian aggression in Ukraine has made the acceleration of the EU’s enlargement a strategic priority. He emphasized that aligning countries seeking integration with the policies of the EU is essential.
“You simply cannot maintain close ties with Russia or try to continue business as usual and expect to join the European Union. It’s one or the other,” he said.
Serbia remains the only candidate country for EU membership that has refused to join Western sanctions against Moscow due to its aggression in Ukraine.
