Newsletters
Kosovo's President Vjosa Osmani has called on the European Union Commission to begin processing her country's membership application, emphasizing that Kosovo has met more accession criteria than other Western Balkan nations yet remains the only country in the region without candidate status.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Pristina following talks with visiting German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, Osmani said Kosovo has been waiting since December 2022 for the commission to move forward with its application. She expressed hope that Germany, which she described as Kosovo's "closest friend and most reliable ally on the European continent," would play a decisive role in advancing the process.
"Kosovo has fulfilled far more criteria, completed more homework, and made much greater progress in the rule of law, economic reforms and many other areas compared to other Western Balkan countries, yet concrete steps have not been taken by the EU," Osmani said.
The stalled application comes amid punitive measures the EU imposed on Kosovo in 2023, citing the country's failure to de-escalate tensions in its northern region. The sanctions, which have been in effect since June 2023, restrict Kosovo's access to EU funding in certain areas and have negatively affected the lives of Kosovo citizens, according to Osmani.
She characterized the measures as "unjust" and called for their immediate removal, describing it as an urgent necessity. In May, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas announced the bloc had begun gradually lifting the sanctions.
Kosovo submitted its EU membership application on December 15, 2022. Osmani noted that while other Western Balkan countries have progressed in the accession process, Kosovo has been left behind despite its achievements.
The president also suggested the EU consider alternatives to its unanimity requirement for membership decisions, proposing at minimum the elimination of veto power that allows any single member state to block accession.
"Our goal in joining all these international mechanisms is not to be a burden, but to contribute," Osmani said, adding that Kosovo needs Germany's steadfast support on this path.
During the meeting, Osmani reiterated Kosovo's aspirations to join NATO, the European Council, and other international organizations that would strengthen the country's international standing. She emphasized that Germany has consistently stood by Kosovo and remains a historic and traditional ally of the Kosovar people.
1 min read
6 min read
