What punitive measures has the EU begun to lift from Kosovo?

2025-05-22 21:06:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

The European Union has finally begun to slowly lift the measures against Kosovo, after almost two years, but on condition that it reduces tensions in the north of the country, inhabited by a Serb majority, warned the EU's chief diplomat, Kaja Kallas, in Pristina.

While Kallas did not explain when the lifting of the measures began and what measures may have been lifted so far, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty learns from its sources in Brussels that the measures that have been lifted relate to the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA), the first contractual pact between Kosovo and the European bloc, and the Investment Framework for the Western Balkans.

According to sources, the work of several SAA sub-committees has now begun, as well as the provision of technical assistance within the framework of the Western Balkans Investment Framework.

The Western Balkans Investment Framework is a joint initiative of the EU, financial institutions and donors, aiming at the socio-economic development and European perspective of the Western Balkan countries.

Kosovo has been supported by this mechanism since 2009. By 2021, 30 projects worth 1.8 billion euros had been supported by this mechanism in Kosovo. The projects include road construction, railway rehabilitation, district heating systems and wastewater system improvements.

For the years 2023-2030, within the framework of this mechanism, other projects are also foreseen in Kosovo, such as: the Pristina - Niš Peace Highway, the Belgrade - Pristina railway, solar heating for Pristina, the wastewater treatment plant for Pristina, and others.

These measures began to be lifted by the EU External Action Service (EEAS) and the European Commission following discussions at the Foreign Affairs Council in April, the source says.

"The decision comes after the peaceful conduct of parliamentary elections in Kosovo earlier this year. As the High Representative [Kallas] said, this process is gradual and conditional on continued progress towards de-escalation," the source emphasizes.

The EEAS and the Commission are now implementing this decision, keeping Member States informed.

The basis for this decision were the EU Council conclusions from December 2024, according to which the EU would be ready to begin the gradual lifting of measures, in parallel with de-escalation steps in northern Kosovo, according to the source.

Kallas warned during her visit to Pristina that, while this decision opens the door to greater opportunities for Kosovo's development and closer ties with Europe, it depends on reducing tensions in the north.

The EU imposed punitive measures against Kosovo in 2023 - following rising tensions in the north of the country.

Kallas said that the closure of parallel Serbian institutions in northern Kosovo by Kosovo authorities is "undermining" efforts to de-escalate the situation.

Kosovo authorities have closed a number of parallel Serbian institutions in recent weeks, which they say are illegal./ REL