The European Parliament’s Rapporteur for Kosovo, Riho Terras, in a draft annual report on the situation in Kosovo and its progress toward EU membership, called for the immediate lifting of the EU sanctions imposed on Kosovo in June 2023. The sanctions were initially introduced due to tensions in the northern part of the country, which is predominantly inhabited by ethnic Serbs.

“The measures are no longer justified and stand in contradiction to Kosovo’s demonstrated commitment to European values and alignment with EU policies,” Terras wrote.   

The sanctions include the freezing of certain EU funds and the suspension of high-level meetings with Kosovo’s officials.

The report also advocates for Kosovo’s EU membership and calls on countries that have yet to recognise Kosovo to do so without delay.

This report is based on the European Commission’s assessments of Kosovo in 2023 and 2024, as well as Kosovo’s commitment to EU accession.

In an explanatory statement, Terras emphasised that the European Parliament is closely monitoring political and socio-economic developments in Kosovo, and that the report is presented in line with the European Commission’s progress report on Kosovo.

It also supports Kosovo’s request to join the Council of Europe and its plan to join NATO’s Partnership for Peace program.

Concerns are raised about the security situation in northern Kosovo, especially following the terrorist attack in Banjska in September 2023 and the attack on the Iber/Ibar-Lepenc canal in November 2024. The report calls for the perpetrators of these violent acts to be brought to justice.

It also expresses regret that Serbia has not brought to justice those responsible for the terrorist attack in Banjska, including the former vice president of the Serbian List, Milan Radoicic.

“Kosovo made significant progress in 2023 and 2024, particularly in electoral reforms, economic resilience, and the protection of fundamental rights. However, challenges remain in areas such as judicial reform, media freedom, public administration efficiency, and the digitalisation of public services,” the authors wrote.

According to the report, continued dedication to comprehensive reforms and inclusive governance is crucial for Kosovo’s advancement on its European integration path.

The report attributes many of Kosovo’s challenges to legacy issues, the resolution of which requires the involvement of the entire region in the broader European Union integration process.

After the presentation of this draft in the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Members of Parliament, the draft report will first be voted on by the committee, and then it will be adopted as a resolution by the European Parliament.