Kallas and Kos: The EU expects the rapid formation of institutions in Kosovo

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas and Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said today, in a joint statement, that they expect new institutions in Kosovo to be formed swiftly. They stressed that the new government should double its efforts in implementing reforms and that all obligations arising from the Agreement on the Path to Normalisation, as well as all previous dialogue agreements, are expected to be implemented without further delay or preconditions.

“On Sunday, 28 December, the people of Kosovo exercised their democratic right by voting in snap parliamentary elections. Following the political stalemate that ensued after the elections held in February this year, we hope for the swift constitution of the new Assembly and Government, as well as the continuation of cooperation with the relevant authorities. The new government should double its efforts in implementing the necessary EU-related reforms,” Kallas and Kos stated.

They said that the European Union “takes note” of the active participation of all communities and their political parties in the elections, adding that the electoral process demonstrated a strong commitment to democratic principles.

They recalled that the EU had deployed an Election Expert Mission, which will remain in Kosovo to monitor post-election procedures.

“We call on the parliament, once constituted, to ratify the agreements related to the Growth Plan. The Growth Plan for the Western Balkans is a time-limited instrument adopted for the 2024–2027 period, and it is in Kosovo’s interest for ratification to take place as soon as possible in order to fully exploit all opportunities under the Growth Plan for the benefit of its population,” the EU officials emphasized.

They also underlined that the normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia, under EU facilitation, remains “the only way for both countries to make progress on their European path.”

“We expect that all obligations stemming from the Agreement on the Path to Normalisation, as well as all previous agreements from the dialogue, will be implemented without further delay or preconditions. The EU stands ready to host a high-level meeting when conditions allow,” Kallas and Kos said.

They also recalled that the EU continues to lift the measures imposed on Kosovo.

“Financial assistance in the amount of €216 million has already been exempted from the measures following the smooth transfer of local authority after the recent local elections. In addition, we intend to exempt a further €205 million from the measures at the beginning of next year,” Kallas and Kos added in their joint statement.