Kosovo - European Union Relations
Kosovo remained committed to its European path. It continued to voluntarily fully align with the EU's CFSP, including on condemnation of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and to adopt restrictive measures against it. The 2023 reporting period witnessed legislative achievements, including an important electoral reform. However, more work needs to be done, including on the action plan on justice reforms. On 1 January 2024, visa liberalisation for Kosovo will enter into force. The situation in the north of Kosovo has been affected by several crises, the latest one being the violent attack against Kosovo police on 24 September 2023. On the normalisation of relations with Serbia, while an Agreement was reached in the EU-facilitated Dialogue, both Kosovo and Serbia are yet to start the implementation of their respective obligations, which are binding for the Parties and a key part of their European paths.
The 12 February 2018 European Commission enlargement strategy for the Western Balkans stated that "Kosovo has an opportunity for sustainable progress through implementation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement and to advance on its European path once objective circumstances allow."
The Western Balkans are part of Europe, geographically surrounded by EU Member States. The peoples of the EU and the region have a common heritage and history and a future defined by shared opportunities and challenges. "Accession negotiations are already well underway with Montenegro and Serbia. With strong political will, the delivery of real and sustained reforms, and definitive solutions to disputes with neighbours, they could potentially be ready for membership in a 2025 perspective. This perspective is extremely ambitious. Whether it is achieved will depend fully on the objective merits and results of each country. ... Today, the Western Balkans countries show clear elements of state capture, including links with organised crime and corruption at all levels of government and administration, as well as a strong entanglement of public and private interests. All this feeds a sentiment of impunity and inequality. There is also extensive political interference in and control of the media."
All 27 members of the European Union have agreed with the principle that the membership of both Serbia and Kosovo in the European Union is desirable and it is something the European Union will work towards. Brussels demanded as a precondition for membership that Belgrade should bring relations with Pristina back to normal. In March 2011, the EU launched a facilitated dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia with the declared goals of promoting cooperation and good neighborly relations, achieving progress on the path to Europe, and improving the lives of the people. As of December 2011, agreements had been reached on issues including customs stamps, university diplomas, civil registries, land records, and cross-border freedom of movement. The parties also reached an agreement on integrated border management, whose implementation awaits conclusion of a technical protocol.
As in Bosnia, there is little chance that Kosovo will be able to rapidly advance to EU membership and a similar standard of governance as exists in the rest of Europe. The Kosovars had little experience in administration, and few ideas as to what was needed to integrate with European norms. The country's institutions are very weak and the implementation of legislation is poor. Many, if not most, governmental decisions are made without transparency and local clans have inordinate power. While Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro were making progress toward eventual membership in the EU, by 2009 Kosovo had not even reached a stage where a visa facilitation agreement with the EU was possible. Nevertheless, the Kosovars were becoming frustrated because they think highly of themselves and tend to put the blame on others for their failings.
The Progress Report on Kosovo is part of the 2013 Enlargement Package adopted by the European Commission on 16 October 2013. The Commission concluded that 2013 has been a historic year for Kosovo on its path to the European Union. Kosovo has been committed to the EU facilitated dialogue with Serbia and delivered on important policy reforms identified in the 2012 feasibility study. The EU appreciated these efforts by agreeing to start negotiations on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with Kosovo.
Kosovo has increased its capacity to address the priorities of the European integration process by following-up on the short-term priorities identified by the feasibility study (rule of law, public administration, protection of minorities and trade) and by preparing for the negotiations of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement. In the context of the visa liberalisation dialogue, Kosovo amended and adopted important legislation, including laws on asylum, party financing and human trafficking. In January 2013, the laws on courts and on prosecution entered into force, introducing new court and prosecution structures.
The Commission underlined the necessity to keep normalising relations with Serbia and to continue building an inclusive Kosovo. Further efforts are needed for Kosovo to meet the challenges of its European reform agenda in view of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement. The priority areas include the rule of law, judiciary, public administration, electoral reform and the Assembly, human and fundamental rights, protection of minorities, trade and internal market issues, and phytosanitary and veterinary issues.
Kosovo has moved towards establishing a functioning market economy. At the same time, considerable reforms and investments are needed to enable Kosovo to cope over the long term with competitive pressure and market forces. In particular, Kosovo needs to improve its business environment, support the private sector and address structural weaknesses in the labour market so as to reduce unemployment.
Kosovo has made progress in preparing for the negotiations on the Stabilisation and Association Agreement. It completed the restructuring of the Ministry for Trade and Industry and finalised an impact analysis in view of the negotiations on the trade related aspects of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement. Kosovo has also taken steps to prepare for the agricultural census. In a wide range of technical areas, the required legislation is in place. Kosovo is ready to start the negotiating process.
Further efforts are needed to focus on the implementation of the legal framework in particular in the areas of trade, competition and the internal market. Kosovo needs to enhance its efforts in the fight against the illegal trade and slaughter of animals. It needs to strengthen the controls at livestock markets and to improve business statistics, food safety and phytosanitary controls. In the energy sector, efforts to decommission the Kosovo A power plant need to be stepped up.
Key dates
- 1999: The EU proposes the new Stabilisation and Association Process for countries of Southeast Europe.
- June 2000: The European Council states that all the Stabilisation and Association countries are potential candidates for EU membership.
- June 2003: Thessaloniki Summit; the EU perspective for the Western Balkans is confirmed.
- February 2008: Kosovo unilaterally declares independence.
- October 2009: The European Commission adopts a Communication on Kosovo's European Perspective proposing initiatives on visa liberalisation, trade agreement, Stabilisation and Association process dialogue and Kosovo's participation in EU programmes.
- July 2010: The International Court of Justice concludes that Kosovo's declaration of independence did not violate general international law or Security Council Resolution 1244/99.
- September 2010: The UN General Assembly adopts a resolution tabled by Serbia and co-sponsored by all EU Member States acknowledging the content of the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on whether the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo is in accordance with international law and welcoming the readiness of the European Union to facilitate a process of dialogue between the parties.
- March 2011: The EU-facilitated dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade is launched.
- January 2012: The visa liberalisation dialogue is launched.
- October 2012: Feasibility study for a Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the EU and Kosovo is issued.
- April 2013: The First agreement of principles governing normalisation of relations is reached in the dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo.
- June 2013: Council authorises opening of negotiations on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) between the EU and Kosovo.
- October 2013: First round of negotiations on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) between the EU and Kosovo.
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