Which of the punitive measures has the EU started to remove from Kosovo?

The European Union has finally started slowly lifting measures on Kosovo, after almost two years, but on the condition that it reduces tensions in the north of the Serb-majority country, the head of EU diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, warned in Pristina.

While Kallasi did not explain when the lifting of the measures began and what measures may have been lifted so far, Radio Free Europe learns from its sources in Brussels that the measures that have been lifted relate to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA), the first contractual pact between Kosovo and the European bloc, and the Investment Framework for the Western Balkans.

According to sources, the work of several SAA sub-committees has now begun, as well as the provision of technical assistance under the Investment Framework for the Western Balkans.

The Western Balkans Investment Framework is a joint initiative of the EU, financial institutions and donors, aimed at the socio-economic development and European perspective of the Western Balkan countries.

Kosovo has been supported by this mechanism since 2009. By 2021, 30 projects worth €1.8 billion had been supported by this mechanism in Kosovo. Projects include road construction, rail rehabilitation, central heating systems, and sewage system improvement.

For the years 2023-2030, within the framework of this mechanism, other projects are envisaged in Kosovo, such as: Pristina - Niš Peace Highway, Belgrade - Prishtina railway road, solar heating for Prishtina, wastewater treatment plant for Prishtina and others.

These measures began to be lifted by the EU's External Action Service (EEAS) and the European Commission after discussions at the Foreign Affairs Council in April, the source said.

"The decision comes after the peaceful conduct of parliamentary elections in Kosovo at the beginning of this year. As High Representative [Kallas] said, this process is gradual and conditional on continuous progress towards de-escalation," the source points out.

The EEAS and the Commission are now implementing this decision, keeping member states informed.

The basis for this decision was the conclusions of the EU Council from December 2024, according to which the EU would be ready to start the gradual lifting of the measures, in parallel with the steps of de-escalation in the north of Kosovo, according to the source.

Kallas warned during her visit to Pristina that, while this decision opens the door to greater opportunities for Kosovo's development and closer ties with Europe, it depends on reducing tensions in the north.

The EU imposed punitive measures on Kosovo in 2023 - after rising tensions in the north of the country.

Kallas said that the closure of Serbian parallel institutions in the north of Kosovo by the Kosovar authorities is "undermining" efforts towards de-escalating the situation.

Kosovo authorities have closed a number of Serbian parallel institutions in recent weeks, which they say are illegal./REL