Kosovo's progress on the European Union agenda has been hampered by divisive domestic politics and political deadlock following the February 9 parliamentary elections, despite Kosovo being committed to the European path, with a high level of public support.
This is stated in a draft of the Progress Report in the section on Kosovo for 2024, which was obtained by Radio Free Europe.
The EU compiles these reports for countries aiming to join the European bloc.
Kosovo, unlike other Western Balkan countries, does not have candidate country status, although it applied for membership in December 2022.
The document mentions that Kosovo has voluntarily aligned its foreign policy with that of the European Union, which signals a clear commitment to EU values, a very welcome move.
Among other things, the draft report mentions that the European Commission has taken the first steps towards the gradual lifting of punitive measures.
Kosovo was punished with measures by the EU in the summer of 2023, as the bloc assessed that the Kosovo authorities had not done enough to prevent the unrest that had erupted in the Serb-majority north.
"Further steps will depend on the continued de-escalation in the north. The Commission aims to lift the financial measures when there is an orderly transfer of local government in the north, after elections are held."
In the local elections held on October 12, the four Serb-majority municipalities in the north – North Mitrovica, Zvecan, Leposavic and Zubin Potok – were won by the Serbian List, the largest Serb party in Kosovo, which enjoys the support of official Belgrade.
These municipalities have been led by Albanians since 2022, when Serb mayors and other Serbs resigned from Kosovo institutions as a sign of protest over several decisions made by the Kosovo Government.
A report published in May by the GAP Institute for Advanced Studies in Pristina found that EU sanctions have cost Kosovo around €613.4 million in suspended or indefinitely postponed projects. Of this amount, €7.1 million has been lost entirely, with the sectors most affected being: environment, energy, digitalisation and culture.
The draft EU report also mentions the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia for the normalization of relations, which is mediated by the bloc itself.
The two countries are required to implement all obligations arising from the Agreement on the Normalization of Relations, reached in 2023, and the implementation annex, reached that same year.
Kosovo is required to engage in finding long-term solutions so that all communities have access to basic public services, in accordance with the obligations of the dialogue launched in 2011.
The high-level dialogue was last held in September 2023, while at the technical level the parties have met several times, but without reaching any agreement.
Criticism of Serbia
The section on Serbia mentions that this country, although it has opened 22 out of 35 chapters in the framework of accession negotiations, should take more responsibility for more proactive and objective communication in the accession process and that it should avoid anti-EU rhetoric.
"The polarization of Serbian society has deepened due to the massive protests that have been organized by students and other citizens since November 2024, reflecting citizens' frustration over issues such as corruption and the perception of a lack of transparency and accountability, accompanied by cases of excessive use of violence against protesters and pressure on civil society."
Among other things, Serbia has been criticized for not aligning its foreign policy with that of the EU, and has therefore been urged to align with the bloc.
"The rapid granting of visa-free travel rights to the EU for Russian citizens by granting them Serbian citizenship poses potential security risks for the EU," the report also noted.
Serbia is the only country in the Western Balkans that has not imposed sanctions on Russia for the war it launched in Ukraine, and continues to cultivate warm ties with Moscow.
Serbia has also been criticized for attempts to reduce the independence of the judiciary, which then undermines the rule of law and democracy, as well as for restrictions on freedoms of assembly and expression.
Albania's rapid progress
The European Union mentions that the enlargement process is developing at the fastest pace in the last 15 years, and since the beginning of 2024, 11 intergovernmental conferences have been held - five of them with Albania alone.
Albania is mentioned for its great progress in reforms, and that this country has managed with unprecedented speed to open negotiations in five groups of chapters.
"This reflects Albania's great commitment. Albania has continued to make progress in reforms, especially in the comprehensive reform of the judiciary and with the completion of the vetting process," the draft report mentions, noting the results of the Special Prosecution Office against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) in anti-corruption cases, active international cooperation against organized crime and the development of capacities for financial investigations.
Among other things, it is mentioned that Albania has already expressed its ambition to close all accession negotiations by 2027 and that the European Commission is committed to supporting countries in fulfilling the conditions necessary for EU membership, and that the process is based solely on the principle of merit.
As for other Balkan countries, the report also mentions the significant progress of Montenegro.
Montenegro is described as the country that has achieved the greatest progress in the EU accession process with the opening of almost all necessary chapters and the closing of seven of them.
Albania, as well as Montenegro, North Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, have been praised for aligning their foreign policy with that of the European bloc.
The section on North Macedonia mentions that this country has not yet adopted the necessary constitutional amendments to include in the Constitution residents who live in border areas and identify themselves with other citizenships, including Bulgarian.
According to the draft report, the Macedonian authorities have continued to work to make progress in the areas of the rule of law, public administration reform, the functioning of democratic institutions and the protection of minorities.
"North Macedonia should intensify efforts to support the rule of law, especially to preserve the independence and integrity of the judiciary, and to step up the fight against corruption."
In the section on Bosnia and Herzegovina, internal tensions are mentioned throughout 2024 due to the actions of Republika Srpska – the Serbian entity – including the adoption of laws that were later overturned by the local Constitutional Court.
"The country should take relevant steps to hold the first intergovernmental conference, starting with the approval of the justice reform and the appointment of a chief negotiator."
As for other countries aiming for the EU, the progress of Moldova and Ukraine has been praised, despite facing Russian occupation, while Georgia has been criticized for its major setbacks.
There has also been criticism of Turkey, a country that has had candidate country status since 1999.
The EU has assessed that geopolitical challenges have generally reinforced the idea of a united Europe and that Europeans must do more to defend their values.
"This can only be achieved by working closely with our neighbours to create a strong, stable, secure and united Europe, based on shared democratic values. In today's world, enlargement policy is the main geopolitical tool that contributes to shared security and prosperity," the draft report said, among other things.
In this regard, the document emphasizes that as future member states prepare for the responsibilities of membership, the EU must get used to a larger family, and work on carrying out the necessary tasks.
Croatia is the last country to join the European bloc, in 2013. /REL
edition
t7 live
