EU calls for progress in dialogue and criticizes Kosovo and Serbia

The dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia remains an important precondition for both countries’ advancement towards the European Union. In the draft annual reports on Kosovo and Serbia, which the European Commission is expected to publish on November 4, it is warned that a lack of results will bring political and economic consequences.

The European Commission assesses that Serbia has breached its obligations, particularly by lobbying against Kosovo’s membership in international organizations, including the Council of Europe and Interpol.

The draft emphasizes that these positions, together with repeated inflammatory statements by Serbian officials, have continued to damage the process of normalizing relations. Belgrade is also criticized for failing to take significant steps to bring those responsible for the attack in Banjska in September 2023 to justice.

The situation in northern Kosovo is described as calm but still fragile. Meanwhile, Kosovo is criticized for repeated actions that are not in line with its dialogue obligations, including police operations against Serbia-backed structures.

According to the document, no progress has been made in establishing the Association of Serb-majority municipalities. Pristina is urged to begin this process in line with the commitments undertaken במסגרת the dialogue.

Regarding the Serbia-backed structures operating in Kosovo, the European Commission emphasizes that their status must be determined on the basis of the dialogue agreements and Kosovo’s laws, rather than through unilateral and uncoordinated measures.

The EU also calls for structured consultations with Kosovo Serbs, as well as close cooperation with the EU Special Representative for the Dialogue.

Regarding the bridge over the Ibër River, the EU’s position is that it should be opened, but this requires greater coordination between the municipalities and central institutions.

The draft report assesses that Kosovo has made no progress in fundamental areas, while the functioning of the institutions has been hampered by political fragmentation.