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Not all the measures that the European Union imposed on Kosovo last year after the tensions in the north are being implemented. Among other things, the invitations for Kosovo's participation in high-level events and bilateral visits were suspended. However, leaders of the institutions participated in important summits and held bilateral meetings on issues beyond the dialogue. Connoisseurs of the circumstances say that this proves that the measures are not that effective even though they have harmed Kosovo
Member states of the European Union, but also its institutions, are not implementing all the sanctions that they initially imposed on Kosovo due to the situation in the north.
Among others, the measures include the suspension of invitations for Kosovo's participation in high-level events and bilateral visits by the European Union and its member countries. Meetings were said to be held only when they should be held to focus on addressing the crisis in northern Kosovo and steps to find a solution.
The correspondent of "Koha", Augustin Palokaj, says that this point of the measures is not being implemented neither by the member countries nor by the EU institutions.
" As for the implementation of measures in the part related to bilateral meetings, they are not being implemented by many member countries and we are seeing that in a way they are not being implemented even by the institutions of the European Union, since Kosovo is participating at the level higher also in the various conferences. Also, next week, Ursulla von der Leyen will visit Kosovo and will meet with the heads of state of Kosovo, both with the Prime Minister and the President, and this also proves that there are discussions and meetings are being held on topics that have no to do with the escalation of the situation and not with the dialogue ", says Palokaj.
According to him, this proves that more or less the measures are not that effective, but on the other hand they have harmed Kosovo.
" The chances of lifting the measures against Kosovo are not very great, since there is no sincere will neither from the institutions of the European Union nor from the main countries of the European Union, even member countries such as Germany or some others, which have expressed that they are in favor of lifting the measures, I have not committed myself in a special way for this to actually happen. Therefore, I do not expect the removal of the measures to happen, even though the high representative of the EU had recommended such a thing", he added.
On the sidelines of the Berlin Process, the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, held a bilateral meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, from whom he asked for support in leaving the EU measures.
" Together they discussed bilateral relations and areas in which Germany can support Kosovo. Prime Minister Kurti asked him and Germany to support the withdrawal of the EU measures, which has already been requested by the High Representative of the EU, Josep Borrell , "the Prime Minister's Office announced.
Kurti and other state leaders have had many meetings with representatives of EU member states in recent weeks.
But the sanctioning measures affected the implementation of the projects that the EU and the Council of Europe shared for Kosovo.
In April of this year, "Koha" had reported that nearly 7 million euros is the value of the projects that Kosovo cannot sign with the Council of Europe and the European Union, as long as the sanctioning measures of the European Union remain in force. In the Council of Europe, they said that the non-signing of the projects in 2023 with Kosovo has affected the overall performance of the projects that this organization and the EU jointly share for the Western Balkans and Eastern European partners.
In June of last year, the EU confirmed that the member states have agreed to impose measures with immediate effect on Kosovo, but denying that they are not sanctions. They were decided after the tensions in the north of Kosovo, for which Kosovo was held responsible. Among other things, they also have financial consequences for Kosovo. According to the EU, a significant suspension of the financing by the EU of some projects for which Kosovo has given proposals also within the investment fund for the Western Balkans is planned.
The other measure also affected the joint work of the groups that exist between Kosovo and the EU, which were created on the basis of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA).
Although the European Union officially claims that the measures against Kosovo are only related to steps to reduce tensions, "Koha" reported that their removal is also related to progress in the dialogue process.
The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Policy and Security submitted his report, the content of which is not public, to the Council of Ministers of the EU in June. Borrelli himself had confirmed that he recommended the lifting of the measures.
Some EU diplomats claimed for "Time" that "some member countries are an obstacle, especially those that have not recognized Kosovo", but they also mentioned the reluctance of France and Italy. It is said that Slovakia and Romania are also against it, which may also be the result of lobbying by Serbia so that the measures are not lifted. Distrust on the part of some member countries towards Kosovo had deepened especially after the Government's warnings about the opening of the bridge over the Iber for the circulation of vehicles. For the EU, this action as well as the closure of illegal Serbian offices in the north are "unilateral and uncoordinated"./ Koha.net
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