Amid talk of Western sanctions against Kosovo, including possibly halting citizens’ visa-free travel, EU Parliament President Roberta Metsola shared a photo of her beside President Vjosa Osmani, emphasising Parliament will support visa liberalisation as Osmani addressed lawmakers on Wednesday.
“The people of Kosovo deserve progress, prosperity and opportunities. President Vjosa Osmani emphasised the urgent need for de-escalation of the situation in Kosovo and cooperation on the confrontation. We have offered visa-free travel and are ready to further support Kosovo’s path to the EU,” wrote Metsola on Twitter.
Osmani addressed EU Parliament on Wednesday, noting she was the first president of Kosovo to do so.
“Kosovo today is free, independent and Kosovo today is a flame of democracy. Our visionary leader Ibrahim Rugova was honoured by the European Parliament. I have the honour to be the first president of Kosovo to speak before the European Parliament. Thank you for the immense contribution this institution has made to our freedom,” she said.
The president added that she was there to express gratitude for the Parliament’s unwavering support and that EU values were “deeply embedded in the tissues of our people.”
“We continue to walk side by side as we fight to preserve our shared values. Our republic was born under the anthem of Europe,” said Osmani.
On the topic of the country’s Serb population, Osmani said Kosovo remains the most pro-EU country in the Western Balkans and that Kosovo is the Serb population’s home.
“The existence of our state proves what democracies can do when they come together, when they stand up to the invaders, when they support those who fight for justice and equality, and when you unite against tyranny, dictatorship and genocide,” Osmani said.
“The Republic of Kosovo is your home. We will do everything so that you feel included, equal and heard,” she added.
Osmani also called on lawmakers to take a tough stance on Russia, stating that our actions will determine the future in many ways.
“The reaction to Russia must be clear and immediate. European unity has been historic, but we must go further to ensure Ukraine’s victory and a just peace. This moment calls for leaders to come together and make bold decisions. We must have greater cooperation, we must be united by the values that represent us,” she said.
The speech comes after Western sanctions were revealed from the EU and the US against Kosovo if it does not meet demands to deescalate tensions in the north of the country.
Last week, a high-level source informed EURACTIV that the EU and the US were preparing to impose sanctions on Kosovo. This information was further confirmed by statements from Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, other diplomatic sources, and finally, the European Commission.
The internal note provided by the source outlined various sanctions measures, including the freezing of EU funds, suspension of the visa liberalisation process, and disruption of membership processes for international institutions. Additionally, Kosovo’s allies would adopt a passive stance towards Serbia’s derecognition campaign, international military presence would be reorganised, and there would be a significant reduction in the US contingent.
While the note also mentioned the possibility of individual sanctions targeting Kosovar leaders and high-level officials, it is understood that these would be implemented as a last resort, with sanctions likely to be introduced gradually in different phases.
On Tuesday evening, Rama cancelled a scheduled meeting with Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, citing the imminent sanctions and a refusal to tackle the issue as the reason.
He said in a press conference that the “hourly worsening of Kosovo’s relations with the entire Euro-Atlantic community, this meeting cannot be held in the anticipated format.”
Rama continued that after speaking to EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell, Kosovo’s actions have “put its finger on the button that will set in motion the plan of sanctions against the state that created it.”
On Tuesday, Radio Evropa Lire (REL) also reported that EU sanctions were imminent, including the suspension of invitations for Kosovo’s participation in high-level events, bilateral visits from the EU and member states, and only holding meetings when they directly relate to the crisis in the north.
In response to the situation, several actions will be taken by the EU. These include discontinuing sub-committee meetings between Kosovo and the EU established through the Stabilisation and Association Agreement. EU funding for projects under the Investment Fund for the Western Balkans will also be put on hold.
Additionally, there might be a decrease in Kosovo’s representation at events where government officials have the right to attend. Normal engagement with Kosovo authorities will resume once the EU’s expectations are met.
Petrit Selimi, former foreign minister of Kosovo, told REL that at least three EU member states are considering freezing funds and visa liberalisation for Kosovo, and a REL source in Brussels confirmed that failure to fulfil obligations would “have consequences for Kosovo in the EU integration process and in the financial aspect.”
Escobar and his EU counterpart Miroslav Lajcak presented Kurti last week with a three-point proposal for overcoming the crisis in northern Kosovo, which includes de-escalating the situation, holding new elections in the north and returning to the dialogue to normalise relations.
When asked by journalists what refusal to follow the plan would mean, Escobar said, “If they do not accept, it means that they are leaving the Euro-Atlantic partnership unilaterally” and “I want to make it clear that we don’t see this having an impact on a long-term relationship, but the action taken or not taken could have some consequences that could affect parts of the relationship. I don’t want to go there.”
The internal note seen by EURACTIV also called for Kosovo’s opposition to take a clear stand on Kurti’s actions, and on Wednesday, opposition leader and former prime minister Ramush Haradinaj made his thoughts known.
“Lost in governance and hopeless for the economy, education and health, immersed in corruption and caught in hatred, untrustworthy to the Euro-Atlantic allies, caught in disloyalty and condemned by them, Kurti is seeking salvation from criminals in the north,” the leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo wrote on Facebook.
“Therefore, the dismissal of the Prime Minister and the Government is a national emergency,” he concluded.
(Alice Taylor | Exit.al)
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Source: euractiv.com
