EP adopts resolution on Kosovo: Reforms and progress in dialogue, key to the European path

2026-06-17 19:35:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

EP adopts resolution on Kosovo: Reforms and progress in dialogue, key to the

The European Parliament has adopted a resolution on Kosovo stating that reforms and progress in the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue remain key to the country's European path.

The resolution was adopted with 412 votes in favor, 174 against and 58 abstentions.

"Continuing reforms and progress in the European Union-mediated dialogue remain key to the European path," wrote the EP rapporteur for Kosovo, Riho Terras, in X after the resolution was adopted.

The resolution welcomes Kosovo's continued commitment to the integration process. In this context, it states that the dialogue for the normalization of Kosovo-Serbia relations, mediated by Brussels, remains an integral part of Kosovo's European perspective.

Kosovo and Serbia have not held high-level dialogue since September 2023, a few days before the armed attack in Banjska.

Acting Deputy Prime Minister, Glauk Konjufca, stated in early May that he does not expect any developments in the dialogue this year.

"Let's see in 2027 how things will develop, but due to developments I do not expect anything, nor any European initiative very focused in these remaining months of the year," he said on May 11.

He said that the biggest problem in the dialogue lies in the "blow to good faith" that has been made to the process "by Serbia".

Konjufca said that the attack in Banjska in 2023 and the one on the Iber-Lepenc canal in 2024 damaged the trust in the process of normalizing relations, which began in 2011 and is mediated by the EU.

The adopted EP resolution reiterated the position that 2025 was a lost year for the country, warning that the months of 2026 are also at risk of losses due to the political crisis.

The resolution states that due to the political situation, Kosovo may lose financial resources from the Growth Plan, as there is a fear that Kosovo will not be able to meet the necessary criteria.

The EU package for the Western Balkans – for the period 2024-2027 – is worth 6 billion euros. Of this amount, Kosovo is entitled to around 882 million euros – 253 million in grants and 629 million euros in the form of loans – meaning that the country benefits from the most funds in the region per capita.

The end of June this year is the deadline when each country in the region enters the so-called moment of permanent loss if it does not fulfill the previously agreed reforms.

Earlier, sources told Radio Free Europe that if all reforms are not undertaken, Kosovo could lose 68.8 million euros.

During the political crisis last year in Kosovo - when the country held two parliamentary elections due to the inability to form institutions - funds from the Growth Plan, but also funds from other international mechanisms, were called into question.

Kosovo held early parliamentary elections on June 7, after the previous legislature failed to elect a new president. The winner of the elections was the Vetëvendosje Movement of incumbent Prime Minister Albin Kurti, a party that is expected to have 53 seats in the 120-seat Parliament.

Previously, in early June, this resolution – which was in the form of a report – was debated in the EP's Foreign Policy Committee (AFET).

At the June 3 meeting, the rapporteur for Kosovo in the EP, Riho Terras, stated that the last 18 months have been difficult for Kosovo.

"The political impasse has a significant impact on the future of the country. It is important that Kosovo stays on the European path and moves forward with integration," he declared.

Terras also said that he hopes that after the June 7 elections, Kosovo will break out of the political impasse.

The resolution also expresses strong support for Kosovo's goals for integration into the European Union. It also expresses regret for the political stalemate and, as mentioned, polarization that are accompanying the country, as well as for the numerous electoral processes of recent years.

The resolution also provides support for Kosovo's application for candidate country status and calls on member states to mandate the European Commission to compile the questionnaire without unnecessary delay.

Kosovo applied for EU membership at the end of December 2022. However, Pristina's application has not yet been reviewed by the EU.

The Council of the European Union, according to the resolution, is invited to act swiftly and grant Kosovo candidate status, once the relevant criteria have been met.

It also calls on the five non-recognizing EU states – Romania, Greece, Slovakia, Spain and Cyprus – to recognize Kosovo's independence, in order to enable Kosovo's equal advancement with other candidate states.

In this regard, the opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 2010 is recalled, according to which the declaration of independence of Kosovo does not constitute a violation of international law.

The resolution also welcomes the decision, as it is said, "albeit belated", to lift the punitive measures that the EU had imposed on Kosovo and emphasizes that they have been in clear contradiction with Kosovo's proven commitment to European values ??and alignment with the policies of the European bloc.

It states that the measures were unjustified and that they had a negative impact on Kosovo society.

The resolution questions the lack of transparency and predictability, the level of public information, as well as the prolonged duration of the measures, despite the fact that Kosovo had met the requirements for their removal.

Kosovo and Serbia, through the resolution, are called upon to cooperate and take all necessary measures to bring the perpetrators of the 2023 attack in Banjska to justice as soon as possible.

On September 24, 2023, a group of armed Serbs attacked the Kosovo Police in Banjska, Zve?an, killing a sergeant. During the exchange of fire, three other Serb attackers were killed.

Kosovo considers this attack terrorist and blames Belgrade. However, Serbia denies involvement.

Authorities in Kosovo have convicted three defendants for the Banjska attack, while dozens of others are at large. Milan Radoicic, the former vice-chairman of the Serbian List – the main Serb party in Kosovo that enjoys Belgrade’s support – has claimed responsibility for organizing the attack, while Kosovo has repeatedly demanded that Serbia extradite him.

The EP resolution regrets the fact that Serbia has still not prosecuted those responsible for this attack, especially Radoicic./ Rel