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On Europe Day, May 9, Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani reiterated her call for the European Union to lift its measures against Kosovo, calling them unfair and contrary to the bloc’s founding values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law.The European Union imposed punitive measures against Pristina at the end of June 2023 due to tensions following the inauguration of Albanian mayors in four northern municipalities in Kosovo, predominantly populated by Serbs. These sanctions include freezing several EU funds and suspending high-level meetings with Kosovo representatives. Osmani called on the EU to confront Serbia’s destabilising actions, in particular President Vučić’s alliance with Vladimir Putin, which she described as a threat to European stability.
Meanwhile, the EU has started internal discussions on a gradual, conditional and reversible lifting of some measures. While the European External Action Service supports this approach, the European Commission remains hesitant, citing the reluctance of member states such as France, Italy, Hungary and Slovakia.
Initial steps could include restoring Kosovo’s participation in EU technical meetings and investment frameworks, with concrete actions already being taken by the Commission together with the EEAS. As a first step in preparing for the gradual lifting of the measures, the joint structures established under the EU-Kosovo Stabilisation and Association Agreement will soon resume their work. Secondly, it is envisaged to unfreeze the financing of projects under the Investment Framework for the EU in the area of technical assistance related to the implementation of reforms under the Reform and Growth Instrument.
In order to be able to make rapid progress after the lifting of the measures, the Commission has also engaged in preparatory work related to the programming of IPA funds for Kosovo for the period 2025-2027. This will be added to the funds programmed for 2024, the acceptance of which was suspended due to the measures imposed by the EU, so that the overall financial envelope for Kosovo for the period 2025-2027 is expected to reach around EUR 158 million.
There is a growing willingness on the part of the European Union to lift its measures against Kosovo, although some countries continue to delay the process by using procedural obstacles. Some EU diplomats continue to criticize the lack of initiative on the part of Kosovo to reduce tensions in the north, which was set as a prerequisite for lifting the sanctions.
And during his visit to Pristina on 13 May, European Council President Antonio Costa was very clear: “These measures are linked to the need to de-escalate tensions in the region and in the north of Kosovo. I want this de-escalation to happen as soon as possible so that we can move forward and lift these measures. I hope that the latest events do not represent a new trend, but rather an exception that confirms the rule – that you are fully committed to the European path towards de-escalation and to the engagement in this dialogue with Belgrade.”
In the current political impasse over the formation of a parliament and government in Kosovo, the EU is in no hurry to lift sanctions and deprive itself of an important tool of influence.
