The draft reports on Kosovo and Serbia were presented yesterday to members of the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET).
European Western Balkans (EWP) reports that the documents identify deep political crises, both in Pristina and Belgrade, and call on the parties to resume dialogue to normalize relations.
Among other things, the draft report on Serbia states that the pace of EU-related reforms in Serbia has slowed significantly, especially in the areas of the rule of law and democracy.
Meanwhile, regarding the draft annual report of Riho Terras, the EP rapporteur for Kosovo, notes that 2025 "was a lost year" for him, due to the ongoing political crisis.
Terras emphasized that "Kosovo was in complete political paralysis, which also had consequences for the reform process."
"It is regrettable that the uncertainty and political deadlock have significantly slowed down the necessary reforms that the European Union expects from applicants, which are also clearly vital for the country itself. There are clearly areas in which Kosovo has regressed significantly over the past year," he noted in his presentation to AFET.
The document also notes that the EU-mediated dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia has not been fruitful.
"The dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade, which began to find a compromise acceptable to the parties, unfortunately, did not yield the expected results. The dialogue was essentially inactive during 2025. This was also because Kosovo did not have a government with a mandate and full competencies, while negotiations in this form have no perspective," it says.
The draft report notes that the European Commission, the European Parliament and EU member states should do everything to ensure that the dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade continues with renewed vigor, this media outlet reports.
Furthermore, he stressed the importance of constructive engagement by the Kosovo and Serbian authorities to reach a comprehensive and legally binding agreement on normalization, which “must be based on mutual recognition and in accordance with international law.”
The document also calls on the five EU member states that have not recognized Kosovo's independence "to move towards recognition, enabling Kosovo to progress on an equal footing with other candidates."
It also supports Kosovo's bid for membership in the European Union, the Council of Europe, and NATO integration. These goals are seen as evidence of Kosovo's unwavering strategic orientation towards Euro-Atlantic integration.
"The state of democracy and the rule of law has deteriorated in Serbia"
In the debate following the presentation of the draft report on Serbia, MEPs pointed out the country's backwardness in areas related to the rule of law and called on the European Commission to review the Growth Plan funds allocated to the country.
Tonino Picula, EP Rapporteur for Serbia, stated that despite the fact that Serbia had declared EU membership as its strategic goal, “the commitments made in practice did not bring results.”
He recalled that Serbia decided not to participate in the EU-Western Balkans summit, while it participated in a military parade in Moscow.
Picula noted that the electoral legislation has serious shortcomings, and that it is clear that without structural changes and full implementation of all ODIHR recommendations, the upcoming elections cannot be fair.
Furthermore, he assessed that the changes to the main judicial laws “represent an unacceptable step backwards in the accession process and a serious blow to the independence of the judiciary.”
The draft report, EWP writes, strongly condemns the repressive measures and excessive use of police force and violence against protesters, as well as the arbitrary arrests and systematic harassment of the opposition, activists, civil society, and journalists.
“Citizens have the right to demand accountability for widespread corruption because they want transparency. They have the right to freedom of expression, true rule of law and democratic reforms… There has been a disturbing and ongoing crackdown on academic freedom and autonomy, visible through financial, administrative and other pressures on the academic community,” Picula stressed.
He recalled that the role of the European Parliament also means overseeing the European Union budget and funds, including the allocation of funds from the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.
"It is debatable how this stagnation and backward movement of Serbia on the EU path is complementary to payments from the Growth Plan," Picula noted.
According to him, the media situation in Serbia "is frightening on multiple levels."
“I strongly condemn the escalation of attacks and intimidation of journalists that is returning the country to some dark times… Freedom of expression is under increasing pressure, while REM has not been functioning for a long time… Efforts to eliminate other independent media are intensifying… Unfortunately, smear campaigns and toxic disinformation continue to dominate in Serbia,” Picula noted.
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