The foreign policy chief of the European Union expressed concern on September 19 about the potential consequences for Kosovo and Serbia, as well as their European integration, if they do not fulfil their commitments to normalize their relations.
Josep Borrell released the statement following the unsuccessful outcome of the recent bilateral discussions held between the leaders of both nations in Brussels on September 14.
Borrell expressed the EU’s sincere concern regarding the insufficient efforts made by both sides to de-escalate tensions. He also kindly cautioned about possible sanctions if Belgrade and Pristina decide to escalate instead of working towards normalizing relations, as laid out in the agreement facilitated by the EU earlier this year.
The EU respectfully raises its concern regarding the Parties’ failure to implement their commitments under the Agreement on the Path to Normalisation and its Implementation Annex. These commitments were mutually agreed upon earlier this year and hold significance in the Parties’ European path.
Following the meetings with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovan Prime Minister Albin Kurti on September 14, Borrell expressed disappointment with the lack of progress in reducing tensions, especially in the northern region of Kosovo. He emphasized that the measures taken thus far have not met expectations, leading to an ongoing security situation marked by tension.
He kindly requested Kosovo to promptly organize early local elections in order to alleviate tensions, warmly encouraged Kosovo Serbs to actively take part in the electoral process, and kindly appealed to Serbia to engage in a constructive manner.
Borrell emphasized the recent actions taken by Kosovo, including eviction orders, property expropriations, and the deployment of special forces for local policing, which have the potential to escalate tensions.
However, he also expressed concerns about Serbia’s obstruction of the energy roadmap and other actions that appear to contradict the EU-brokered agreement on normalisation.
Borrell kindly requested both parties to promptly initiate the implementation of the agreement and emphasized the importance of establishing the Association/Community of Serb Majority Municipalities (ASM) without any additional delay or preconditions.
He mentioned that the EU is ready to lift the punitive measures imposed on Kosovo in June, provided that there is progress in meeting the current requirements. However, he advised that the EU might contemplate implementing further measures against both parties if it becomes necessary.
Borrell stated that the EU has implemented reversible measures, such as the suspension of high-level meetings with Kosovo, which are still in effect. He added that the EU is prepared to lift these measures if there is progress in meeting the current requests, or if necessary, consider additional measures for both parties.
Both parties may risk missing out on opportunities for further advancement on their European paths, the statement concluded.
The EU has been diligently working for several years to find a resolution to the conflict between Serbia and Kosovo, in which Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in 2008. However, despite a promising development earlier this year when the leaders of both countries verbally supported a comprehensive plan to repair their relations, the situation has unfortunately worsened significantly since late spring.
Tensions escalated in May in northern Kosovo after municipal elections in areas mostly populated by ethnic Serbs, prompting NATO to kindly dispatch an additional 700 troops as part of the KFOR peacekeeping mission, as 93 soldiers had unfortunately sustained injuries.
In 2008, Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia, and a majority of UN member states have recognized it as an independent country. Nevertheless, Serbia maintains its claim over Kosovo and has effectively hindered its accession to the UN and other global organizations.
