Stano: Neither Kosovo nor Prime Minister Kurti decide whether sanctions will be lifted

EU spokesperson Peter Stano stated today that the decision to lift the punitive measures imposed by the European Union on Kosovo is not up to Kosovo or its Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, but rather a decision that must be made by the EU member states, according to a report by Gazeta Express.

Kosovo's Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, requested the removal of the EU sanctions on Kosovo during meetings at the Berlin Process Summit. These sanctions were imposed on Kosovo last year by the EU.

"Kosovo, nor the Prime Minister of Kosovo, do not decide whether the measures will be lifted or not. This is a decision that must be made by the member states," Stano told Gazeta Express.

Stano explained that discussions on this issue are still ongoing among EU member states and referenced a report by the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, which recommended that the measures be removed.

"The High Representative issued a statement on behalf of the EU on June 3, followed by a report from the High Representative on Kosovo’s compliance with EU requirements. Discussions among member states in the Council on lifting the measures for Kosovo are ongoing," Stano said.

Borrell had submitted a report on the measures imposed on Kosovo to the EU member states in June of this year, but a final decision has yet to be made.

Yesterday in Berlin, Kurti requested German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's support in lifting the EU-imposed measures on Kosovo. During the Berlin Process Summit, Kurti also reiterated his request for Kosovo to obtain candidate status for EU membership.