Updated (14:10) – The European Parliament, in its plenary session on Wednesday, with a majority of 353 votes in favor, 145 against and 78 abstentions, adopted the resolution on Kosovo.
On the eve of the vote that took place on Wednesday, a debate was held on Tuesday evening in which, in addition to the members of the European Parliament, the Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, also participated.
Kos, has stated that it is in Kosovo’s interest to form the institutions as soon as possible. Kos said this on Tuesday evening in a debate in the European Parliament dedicated to the report on Kosovo. The report, prepared by rapporteur Riho Terras, was voted on today in the plenary session of the European Parliament.
“It is in Kosovo’s interest to form its institutions as soon as possible to advance urgent European reforms,” Kos said, also highlighting the signing and ratification of agreements related to the Growth Plan, which, according to her, will need to be treated as a priority by the new Government and Parliament.
“This would enable the release of funds from this instrument, provided that all other criteria are met,” Kos said.
She also reiterated the need for Kosovo to fulfill its obligations under the Ohrid Agreement without delay within the framework of the dialogue with Serbia.
Regarding Kosovo’s application for EU membership, Commissioner Kos stated that the Commission is ready to start work on drafting an opinion on Kosovo’s application as soon as it receives a mandate to do so from the Council of the EU.
Meanwhile, the European Parliament report, which was previously approved by the Foreign Policy Committee, welcomes Kosovo’s application for EU membership and calls on member states to start work on reviewing this request. The European Parliament also calls on the 5 EU countries that have not recognized Kosovo to do so as soon as possible.
Regarding the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, both in relation to one and the other state, the European Parliament calls for sincere engagement for the comprehensive normalization of relations “through a legally binding agreement based on mutual recognition.”
The European Parliament has also called for the lifting of the measures against Kosovo that the EU imposed two years ago. According to the European Parliament, there is no longer any reason for such measures as Kosovo has met the conditions for their lifting.
The rapporteur for Kosovo, Estonian MP Riho Terras, also called during the debate for the lifting of EU measures against Kosovo.
“We demand the immediate lifting of the European Union’s punitive measures. They have been unjust and unnecessary from the beginning. The EU finances many projects and programs designed to support Kosovo’s European agenda. This is why we must lift the measures and enable Kosovo to advance using the funds we provide,” he said.
The report also expresses concern about the security situation in northern Kosovo, especially after the armed attack in Banjska and the Iber-Lepenc canal. It reiterates the demand on Serbia to bring to justice the perpetrators of the attacks in Banjska, including their leader Milan Radoicic.
The report on Serbia, prepared by Croatian MP Tonino Piculla, sharply criticized Serbia for its relations with Russia and for its efforts to destabilize neighboring countries. The Parliament also criticizes the “patronizing policy” of the European Commission towards Serbia and calls on the Commission to “speak clearly” about Serbia and not to trivialize the problems that Serbia has. Furthermore, the European Parliament demands that financial assistance to Serbia be reconsidered if Belgrade’s relations with Russia continue.