Rrecaj: EU reform will last until 2030, I hope for the normalization of Kosovo-Serbia relations much sooner

Besfort Rrecaj, a professor at the Department of International Law at the University of Pristina, suggests that amendments to the founding treaties of the European Union, including the introduction of qualified majority voting instead of the current consensus of all 27 members or the elimination of veto rights, could take until 2030, and he hopes that the normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo will occur long before new EU reforms are established.

Rrecaj explains for Kosovo Online that the fundamental arrangements for decision-making processes in the EU are prescribed by the Lisbon Treaty, which is mandatory for member states. The only way to change the voting system within the EU is through the formal amendment of the provisions of the current Lisbon Treaty.

"The European Parliament, in accordance with Article 48 of the Treaty on European Union, has already requested the European Council to convene a convention that would formally initiate the process of amending the basic treaties. I expect this to start in 2024. The EP is already recommending significant institutional and legal changes, including the expansion of areas where decisions are made by a qualified majority, including the common foreign and security policy of the EU, as well as intermediate steps in the enlargement process, which is a very positive sign if approved," Rrecaj says.

He points out that these are profound changes to EU treaties, which is a lengthy process likely to take years before completion, requiring ratification by each contracting state individually.

When asked whether such changes could affect Kosovo's candidate status for EU membership, given that five member states currently do not recognize it, Rrecaj emphasized that he "hopes that the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia will be completed by then, as our people do not have time to wait for the completion of this revision process."

"I hope that the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia will happen long before new EU reforms are established, which could last until 2030, depending on the revision agenda and sensitive issues that need to be addressed. The EP has requested a very broad and ambitious agenda, which means that compromises could take longer. In any case, the revision of EU treaties is expected to play a positive role in the enlargement process," Rrecaj notes.