EP report on Kosovo: Avoiding one-sided activities that undermine Belgrade-Pristina dialogue

Kosovo has made progress in election reforms, economic resistance and protection of fundamental rights, but together with Serbia must avoid unilateral activities that undermine the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue process, according to a European Parliament’s progress report in 2023 and 2024, adopted by the 48th of Parliament. « Against » and 6 « restrained ».

According to a MIA correspondent in Brussels, the report emphasizes that despite significant progress in some areas, challenges related to judicial reform, media freedom, public administration efficiency and digitization of public services remain.

« Kosovo’s determination to join the European Union is constant and all efforts to extract Kosovo from the » gray zone « are in the interest of both Kosovo and the EU, » MEPs in the report emphasize, adding that they fully support Kosovo’s bid to join the Council of Europe.

MEPs welcome progress in trials in corruption cases, but say a strong political commitment to the fight against high -level corruption is needed and call for a continuation of the capacity of the Special Prosecutor’s Office to Research and Prosecution of High Profile Organized Crime Capacity.

The document also refers to « urgent abolition » of EU restrictive measures against Kosovo, which, according to MEPs, are no longer justified, as Pristina has met EU demands. The text emphasizes that these measures are « in great contradiction with Kosovo’s commitment to European values » and hinder the continuation of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue.

MEPs estimate that this dialogue has so far not produced the expected results and calls on Kosovo and Serbia to implement agreements from Brussels and Ohrid and to form the community of municipalities with a majority Serbian population, and Belgrade is required to stop opposition to Pristina’s membership.

The report also urges Belgrade and Pristina to avoid unilateral activities that could undermine the process of their dialogue.

EP rapporteur for Kosovo, Estonian MEP Riho Teras, has estimated that the Kosovo integration process needs a new momentum and that a new chapter is needed in talks between Pristina and Belgrade.

– It is extremely positive that all major parties of the political landscape of Kosovo are strong for EU integration. Kosovo’s future is in the European family, based on the reform agenda and we must work together – Terrass said.