The European Union, although it does not comment on internal issues and procedures in Kosovo, like in any other partner country, considers that it is in Kosovo’s interest to form its institutions as soon as possible. This was stated on Thursday by Guillaume Mercier, EU spokesperson for enlargement issues, responding to questions about whether the fourth consecutive failure to constitute the Kosovo Assembly has consequences for Kosovo’s relations with the EU.
“We will not comment on Kosovo’s internal affairs, just as we do not comment on any other partner country. What I can say is that it is in Kosovo’s interest to quickly form its institutions. This is important for achieving European reforms and moving forward on this journey,” he said.
He also underlined the importance this has for Kosovo’s benefits from the EU Growth Plan.
“It is also important for other issues such as the Growth Plan. As you know, we need to have the Kosovo Assembly constituted in order to continue working in this direction as well,” said the EU spokesperson.
Kosovo was among the first countries in the region to have the Growth Plan and Reform Agenda approved. But it cannot benefit from the first payments from this plan without ratifying the agreement on funds and credit with the European Union in the Assembly. Since for Kosovo this agreement has the character of international agreements, it must be ratified in the Assembly with two-thirds of the votes. Therefore, it is not realistic for Kosovo to receive the first payment from this growth package soon.
On the other hand, Albania and North Macedonia have already received their first payments from the EU and the Commission is soon expected to make such payments to Montenegro and Serbia.
Although the EU is officially reluctant to say more about internal procedures in Kosovo, some European diplomats fear that the delay in forming stable institutions after the elections could have consequences for Kosovo’s European path and other international processes in which Kosovo is involved.