The European Union Office in Kosovo has raised concerns about the institutional crisis in the country, warning that delays in constituting the Assembly could hamper reforms and make it more difficult to access European funds.

The spokesperson for the EU Office, Nikola Gaon, said the situation was becoming increasingly concerning, as Kosovo’s Assembly remains unconstituted even after the constitutional deadline expired on August 7.

According to the European Union’s position, the failure to establish institutions on time could undermine the implementation of important reforms and limit Kosovo’s ability to fully benefit from the opportunities offered by the EU.

Brussels has specifically linked this deadlock to the risk that Kosovo may not benefit sufficiently from the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.

The EU has called on political forces to engage in meaningful and constructive dialogue. It said such an approach is essential for Kosovo to move forward toward common objectives and implement the reforms demanded by its citizens.

Gaon stressed that respect for the Constitution, the binding jurisprudence of the Constitutional Court, the rule of law and the principles of good governance makes it essential for the constitutive process to continue without further postponements, while all actors must fulfill the responsibilities that fall to them.

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Foreign Minister Glauk Konjufca announced that he had held a telephone conversation with Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman over the long waits experienced by Kosovo citizens and compatriots from the diaspora at Croatia’s border crossings.

In a Facebook post, Konjufca said he had conveyed to his Croatian counterpart his concern about the difficulties these delays are causing travelers, especially at the height of the summer season.

He said Grlić Radman had informed him that the issue would be discussed with the relevant Croatian authorities to assess options for facilitating traffic and reducing waiting times.

“Today, I held a telephone conversation with the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia, Mr. Gordan Grlić Radman, regarding the long waits our citizens and compatriots from the diaspora are experiencing at Croatian border crossings.

During the conversation, I expressed concern about the difficulties these waits are causing our citizens at the height of the summer season. Minister Grlić Radman informed me that he would raise this issue with Croatia’s competent authorities so that options for facilitating traffic and reducing waiting times can be considered,” Konjufca wrote.

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In the conclusions of the EU Council, the attack in Banjska is repeatedly condemned, while deep regret is expressed that Serbia has still not taken sufficient measures to bring the perpetrators to justice, and accountability is demanded.

The same position was also reiterated by the European Commission’s Press Office, which expressed regret that Serbia has still not taken the necessary steps to bring to justice those responsible for the attack in northern Kosovo in 2023.

Meanwhile, the EU has not issued a response to the latest information claiming that the people responsible for the attack in Banjska are being protected by official structures in Serbia.

Likewise, there has been no official response to the investigation by Radio Free Europe, which identifies two members of Serbia’s Gendarmerie, mentioned as part of the security detail of Zvonko Veselinoviq and Millan Radoiçiq. This investigation is based on photo analysis, open sources and public traces linking them to the police special unit.

On the other hand, Serbia’s president has rejected claims that they are being protected by members of Serbian state structures, while at the same time saying that Millan Radoiçiq is not a criminal.

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