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Despite the peaceful transfer of power in Kosovo's four northern Serb-majority municipalities on December 5, European Union member states do not seem to be on the same page on lifting punitive measures.
The European Union imposed punitive measures against Kosovo in the summer of 2023, as a result of tensions in the Serb-majority north. They were described as temporary, while the conditions for their removal were clear.
Meanwhile, officials in Kosovo insist that the EU's demands for the removal of measures that damaged the country in millions of euros have been met: the situation in the north has been de-escalated, the police presence near municipal facilities in the north has been reduced, Serbs have participated in the elections held this year, and the peaceful transfer of power in Serb-majority municipalities has been achieved.
But sources within the EU suggest that countries such as France and Italy, supported by Spain, Hungary and Slovakia, are unwilling to lift the sanctions. Rikard Jozwiak, Europe editor for Radio Free Europe (RFE/RL) in Prague, says it is true that the issue of not lifting all measures against Kosovo was discussed in Brussels this week, and that France and Italy are supportive of the idea of lifting only 50 percent of them.
According to him, Paris insists on this stance because it wants Belgrade to open chapters for EU membership, and is angry that others are blocking the process.
A spokeswoman for the EU said the bloc aims to continue lifting the measures, a process that began partially in May this year. According to her, Brussels is ready to work with Kosovo authorities once they are elected, and the bloc expects Kosovo to get back on track with the necessary EU-related reforms. But for Kosovo's incumbent government, early parliamentary elections have nothing to do with the measures.
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