Analysts: Macron's threat is serious; Kosovo faces sanctions

Analysts Afrim Kasolli and Dritero Arifi warn that in his congratulatory message on the anniversary of Kosovo's independence declaration, French President Emmanuel Macron unequivocally stated that all commitments made, including the formation of the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities, must be fulfilled, otherwise, new punitive measures would follow, Albanian Post reports.

Commenting on the congratulations in which Macron stated that the coming weeks were decisive for implementing the Brussels and Ohrid agreements, former deputy of the Self-Determination Movement Afrim Kasolli assessed it as a clear warning from Macron that Kosovo must fulfill all its obligations.

"This is a warning about the obligations awaiting the Government of Kosovo in the coming days and weeks regarding the establishment of the Community. All this because there is not much time left until the European Parliament elections," Kasolli stated.

He recalled that Macron was decisive in Tirana that France had approved visa liberalization for Kosovo based on the promise that it would implement all agreements with Serbia.

"Albin Kurti, in a meeting he had with leaders of leading European Union countries on the sidelines of the EU Summit in October last year, promised to be dedicated to establishing the Community," Kasolli recalled.

For political analyst Dritero Arifi, Macron's statement, as concrete and explicit as it may be, is also extremely serious, based on the fact, that if Kosovo does not continue with the formation of the CSM, it may face additional EU measures.

"The French side demands that Kosovo specifically fulfill its tasks. If there is no seriousness in the coming weeks, Kosovo may face additional sanctions or be completely bypassed in Euro-Atlantic integrations. The message from the French President is extremely serious," Arifi assessed.

In his congratulatory message sent on February 13 to President Vjosa Osmani, Macron appealed to the Government of Kosovo to continue with the implementation of the CSM because, in his assessment, the next few weeks would be decisive for "implementing all the provisions of the Brussels-Ohrid Agreement".

"The next few weeks will be decisive for the implementation of all the provisions of the Brussels-Ohrid Agreement, including the establishment of the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities, which particularly involves organizing new local elections with the participation of the Serbs," Macron stated.

He also noted in a letter that he hoped that Kosovo would "make bold decisions" that were "necessary and will enable it to progress on its European path".