Miskeljin: Brussels told Pristina it will not tolerate heightening tensions and confrontations

The disbursement schedule of funds from the Growth Plan is accompanied by corresponding political messages from the EU, which, in the case of Pristina, which is still awaiting the first tranche, are that they want institutional functionality, but also that they will no longer tolerate the constant escalation of tensions and confrontations, said Marko Miskeljin, associate at the Center for Social Stability.

“This is, for now, a continuation of Europe’s coherent message that institutional functionality is primarily needed, and that the constant raising of tensions and continual playing on confrontation will clearly no longer be tolerated,” Miskeljin told Kosovo Online.

He explained that the main figure responsible for the blockade of Kosovo’s institutions is the leader of the Self-Determination Movement, Albin Kurti.

“The process surrounding the constitutive session is purely a maneuver by which he is trying to hold onto power, and this is something Europe sees as an abuse of the free electoral process,” Miskeljin asserted.

Commenting on the fact that Serbia recently received its first tranche from the Growth Plan, this analyst said it is good that the funds did not take too long to arrive.

“This sends a message that Europe is counting on Serbia, that it is clearly satisfied with the part of the reforms Serbia has implemented and with those it is preparing to implement. And, if you will, that European officials are clearly pleased with the talks they had in May with President Aleksandar Vucic, Assembly President Ana Brnabic, and Minister for European Integration Nemanja Starovic,” Miskeljin said.

He is convinced that the continued disbursement of Growth Plan funds for the Western Balkans will be accompanied by new “political decisions and messages” from Brussels.

“Europe will closely monitor the reforms that are implemented, particularly in the areas of aligning with EU legal standards and fighting corruption. And what is certainly Europe’s focus is ensuring that regional dialogue and cooperation are not used as political theater, but primarily as tools for regional stability. That is what they will be paying close attention to,” Miskeljin emphasized.