The Council of the European Union will be able to declare next week that it will gradually remove the punitive measures against Kosovo, but in parallel with the other steps that Kosovo must take to reduce tensions in the north.

This order should also be part of the conclusions of the ministers of the member countries, who will meet on Tuesday, December 17, in Brussels in the so-called Council of General Affairs of the European Union.

However, even on this point there are differences in attitudes between the member countries, therefore there will be discussions again on Sunday between the ambassadors of the member countries about these conclusions.

Radio Free Europe has had access to the draft of these conclusions, which also mention other issues related to the EU enlargement process.

“In accordance with the statement of the High Representative, on behalf of the EU, the EU has implemented the measures against Kosovo. The Council will gradually remove these measures, in parallel with Kosovo’s other steps to expand to the north. The Council will deal with this issue”, says the latest version of the draft conclusions that should be approved on Tuesday at the General Affairs Council meeting.

The earlier version made no mention of lifting the measures at all and was almost identical to last year’s version, ignoring the fact that the High Representative had meanwhile made recommendations that the measures be lifted.

While the earlier version of the draft conclusions seemed “very negative” regarding measures towards Kosovo, the new version seems “too positive” to some countries.

Therefore, it is unclear how the member countries will refer to these conclusions.

In some meetings of the ambassadors of the EU member states, differences have appeared regarding the measures towards Kosovo. Most member countries have demanded that they be removed immediately and in their entirety. But several other countries, led by France and Italy, want the measures to be phased out.

The continuation of disagreements about the way to remove the measures against Kosovo has meant that they are not removed at all, neither completely nor gradually.

According to Radio Free Europe’s diplomatic sources within the EU, they may not be removed before the elections in Kosovo, which are set for February 9 of next year.