Kos says dialogue with Serbia key on path to EU, calls for stable institutions

European Union (EU) Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos has linked Kosovo's path to EU membership to the success it can have in its dialogue with Serbia and in implementing reforms. She has also called for institutional stability.

"We do not work with dates, but progress and the path followed are also important. The more successful Kosovo is in implementing reforms and the more successful it is in the Pristina-Belgrade dialogue, the greater the chances that we can start negotiations, real negotiations. So, this is the political part," Kos emphasized at the press conference after the meeting with the acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti. 

She said that beyond the political aspect, it is also important for Kosovo to engage with member states.

"As you know, the accession process has a part of technical negotiations, while the other part is related to the political dynamics in the member states. And my call to action to every candidate country is to engage with the member states as well, and then this can happen. Therefore, I cannot give you a specific year, but I am 100% sure and will work tirelessly for the goal of bringing Kosovo closer and closer to the European Union," Kos said. 

She also emphasized that institutional stability is important for the way forward. 

"Therefore, one of my greatest tasks is to ensure a much stronger integration of Kosovo into the European Union. My very clear call during this visit is also to ask all political actors here to find a way to restore institutional stability," Kos declared. 

Asked whether Kosovo risks losing funds if institutions are not established by June due to early elections, Kos said that payments depend on Kosovo fulfilling its obligations.

"So, this Growth Plan is based on a special financial instrument with some rules. And the rules are that if your country, Kosovo, implements its obligations, then you can receive the payments. I am very happy that during this election period and the interim period, your parliament has been able to ratify two important agreements, which have again made possible the first payment, of more than 60 million euros," Kos emphasized.

She said that the EU enlargement process should be pushed forward also due to the security aspect and assessed Kosovo's role in this regard as key. 

"This accession process has been pushed forward also because of the security aspect. And when we discussed Kosovo's role in this, there can be no security in Europe without Kosovo. Kosovo is an integral part of a bigger picture, which is why enlargement today is much more than just enlargement. It has to do with taking care of security in Europe, with being together, with the regional cooperation that you also mentioned, and of course through integration into the European Union," Kos said.

Meanwhile, regarding Serbia's membership in the EU, Kos stressed that its lack of commitment regarding the terrorist attack in Banjska should not be passed off as such.

"Regarding Serbia and the omissions that have been made in the past, it is an important part of how Serbia will pave its own path, meaning its commitment to Banjska and their lack of commitment is not good to pass by like that," she emphasized.