The EU continues discussions on the lifting of measures against Kosovo

2024-07-17 17:12:17 / KOSOVA ALFA PRESS

The EU continues discussions on the lifting of measures against Kosovo
Despite expectations and warnings that the measures of the European Union against Kosovo will be removed, at least gradually, this has not happened yet.

Last summer, the EU took several punitive measures against Kosovo - including the cancellation of several high-level meetings - assessing that Kosovo has not taken sufficient steps to de-escalate the situation in the Serb-majority north.

Tensions in this area have increased since the Government of Kosovo has installed Albanian mayors in municipalities with a Serbian majority, at the end of May 2023.

The recommendation for the removal of the measures was given in June by the high representative of the EU for foreign policy and security, Josep Borrell, justifying it with the steps taken by Kosovo to fulfill the conditions for their removal.

The EU's External Action Service (EEAS) is now said to be continuing consultations with member states on the text of a High Representative's statement announcing the lifting of the measures.

However, some versions of the text of such a declaration have not managed to get the support of all member countries.

According to diplomatic sources in the EU, most countries have agreed to lift the measures, some wanted to lift only a part of them, but some have also requested the establishment of a clause, according to which the measures could be returned automatically, if Kosovo authorities would take any unilateral and uncoordinated steps in the north, which would increase tensions.

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