European Parliament rapporteur for Kosovo Riho Terras said that Pristina’s future lies in the European Union, but stressed that joining the bloc requires reforms.
After meetings with political leaders in Kosovo, he wrote on X: “We are working in this direction.”
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As part of his visit to Kosovo, Terras began his agenda with a meeting with acting president Albulena Haxhiu.
According to Kosovo’s Presidency, Haxhiu requested that Kosovo’s application for EU membership be handled “without further delays,” underlining that the country’s progress toward the European bloc should be measured on the basis of merit.
“Kosovo is not seeking an exception 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 Kosovo’s Presidency said.
Kosovo submitted its application for EU membership in December 2022. However, the request has still not entered even the first formal step, which is consideration by the Council of the EU and then being sent to the European Commission for an opinion. Kosovo remains the only country in the region without candidate country status.
The statement also said that during the meeting, Haxhiu also addressed the dialogue on normalizing relations with Serbia, as well as the “lack of accountability” for the armed attack in Banjska, Zveçan.
In 2023, a group of armed Serbs attacked the Kosovo Police in Banjska, Zveçan, where a sergeant was killed. Three Serb attackers were also killed in the exchange of fire.
Kosovo considers the attack terrorist and holds Belgrade responsible. Serbia, meanwhile, denies involvement. Responsibility was claimed by Milan Radoičić, the former vice president of the Serb List – the main party of Serbs in Kosovo that enjoys Belgrade’s support – while Kosovo continues to seek his extradition from Serbia.
During his stay in Kosovo, MEP Terras also met with acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Glauk Konjufca, who praised the role of the European Parliament 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.
In Pristina, Terras also met with the head of the Democratic Party of Kosovo, Bedri Hamza.
The visit of the European Parliament’s standing rapporteur for Kosovo comes after, in mid-June, the EP approved its annual resolution on Kosovo. After its adoption, Terras said that reforms and progress in the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, mediated by the bloc, remain essential on Kosovo’s European path. / REL
