Riho Terras: Kosovo’s future is in the EU, but membership requires reforms

Riho Terras, the European Parliament’s rapporteur for Kosovo, said Pristina’s future lies in the European Union, but reforms are required for membership in the bloc.

“We are working in this direction,” he said in a post on X after holding meetings with political leaders in Kosovo.

During his stay in Kosovo, Terras first met with acting President Albulena Haxhiu.

Haxhiu called for Kosovo’s application for EU membership to be handled without further delays, adding that the country’s progress toward the European bloc should be assessed on the basis of merit.

“Kosovo is not seeking exemption from the criteria, but a fair process that would pave the way for obtaining candidate country status and the start of accession negotiations,” the statement issued by the Kosovo Presidency said.

Kosovo submitted its application for EU membership in December 2022. However, the application has still not passed even the first formal stage, that of review by the EU Council and then being sent to the European Commission for an opinion. Kosovo is the only country in the region that does not have candidate country status.

During the meeting, according to the statement, Haxhiu also spoke about the dialogue on normalizing relations with Serbia and the “lack of accountability” for the armed attack in Banjska, Zvecan.

In 2023, a group of armed Serbs attacked the Kosovo Police in Banjska, Zvecan, killing a sergeant. During the exchange of fire, three Serb attackers were also killed.

Kosovo considers the attack terrorist in nature and blames Belgrade. Serbia, however, denies involvement. Responsibility was claimed by Milan Radoicic, the former vice president of the Serb List, the main party of Serbs in Kosovo that enjoys Belgrade’s support, while Kosovo has repeatedly demanded that Serbia extradite him.

During his stay in Kosovo, MEP Terras also met with acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Glauk Konjufca, who praised the European Parliament’s role in supporting Kosovo’s aspirations.

“The Republic of Kosovo remains fully committed to advancing its European path, deepening cooperation with the institutions of the European Union, and fulfilling the necessary steps toward full integration into the EU,” the statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora said.

During his stay in Pristina, the MEP also held a meeting with the head of the Democratic Party of Kosovo, Bedri Hamza.

The visit by the European Parliament’s standing rapporteur for Kosovo comes after the EP approved its annual resolution on Kosovo in mid-June. After the resolution was adopted, Terras said reforms and progress in the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, mediated by the bloc, remain key to Kosovo’s European path.