EU-Kosovo

The European Parliament today adopted a report on the EU accession progress of Kosovo. The report, by Green draftsperson/rapporteur Ulrike Lunacek, includes a call for a resolution of the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, which again broke down with no agreement last night. Commenting on the report and the situation, Green foreign affairs spokesperson Ulrike Lunacek said:

"The EP has today sent a strong signal on the need for an urgent resolution of the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue on the normalisation of relations. With the talks having again broken down yesterday, this could not have been more timely. Pristina and Belgrade must not waste this unique opportunity, having now come so close to reaching an historic agreement. The failure to do so would clearly delay the start of EU-Serbia accession talks, which would be regrettable. It would also have knock-on effects for the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with Kosovo.

"Five years on from Kosovo's declaration of independence, the report adopted today calls on the five EU member states that have not yet done so to recognise Kosovo. The positive influence of the EU in Kosovo is undermined by this lack of unity. It also undermines the participation of Kosovo in international efforts to combat corruption and organised crime, for example by blocking Kosovo's membership of Europol and Interpol.

"The report also calls for the swift implementation of a visa dialogue, with a view to realising visa-free travel for the citizens of Kosovo, as is the case for other citizens in the region. However, on the other hand, MEPs have criticised the authorities in Kosovo, notably on shortcomings in the rule of law, media freedom, and the fight against corruption and organised crime. To this end, it calls on EU member states to send more judicial and legal experts support to the EULEX mission in Kosovo."