Leaders of European Union member states and governments called for an immediate de-escalation of the situation in Kosovo and warned of “negative consequences” if it does not happen, at the summit held in Brussel on Friday.
In the conclusions adopted at the end of the two-day summit in Brussel, the leaders reiterated “their full and clear commitment to the perspective of the Western Balkan countries for membership in the EU”.
Furthermore, support was reiterated for the acceleration of the accession process based on merit and appropriate reforms.
A separate paragraph of the conclusions was dedicated to tensions between Kosovo and Serbia, and the summit report was handed over to EU leaders by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell.
“The European Council condemns the recent violent incidents in northern Kosovo and calls for an immediate de-escalation of the situation based on key elements already highlighted by the European Union on June 3, 2023. Parties must create conditions for snap elections in all four municipalities in northern Kosovo. Failure to de-escalate tensions will have negative consequences,” emphasized the leaders in the adopted conclusions.
They emphasized that the continuation of the dialogue with the mediation of the EU and the swift implementation of the Agreement on the Roadmap for Normalization and its annex for implementation are essential.
The conclusions also include the formation of the Association of Serb-majority municipalities in Kosovo.
Although the conclusions were prepared in advance and their content was not contested, their approval was uncertain until the last moment because it was a package of conclusions covering all the topics on the agenda during the two days of the summit.
- Dynamic discussion on Kosovo
EU leaders had a “dynamic discussion” on tensions between Kosovo and Serbia on the first day of the summit in Brussels on June 29.
On the first day, leaders addressed the situation in northern Kosovo and the tensions caused in two instances: at the beginning of the summit when NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg participated in the meeting, and later during the day at the meeting of EU heads of state and government.
“The main message throughout the discussion was that swift action needs to be taken to de-escalate the situation, and this should be done by both parties,” said an EU official speaking to reporters on Friday, June 30.
EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell wrote on Twitter:
“Yesterday we reaffirmed our unwavering support to Ukraine, and our readiness to provide future security engagement. Today, important discussion on China and economic security. I will debrief leaders on recent developments in north of Kosovo.”
Yesterday at #EUCO, we reaffirmed our unwavering support to #Ukraine, and readiness to provide future security commitments.
Today, important discussion on China and economic security. I will debrief leaders on latest developments in the north of Kosovo. https://t.co/WOoaUb6UjQ
— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) June 30, 2023
On Thursday and Friday evening, during the final part of the conclusions, a fierce debate took place on migration, and Hungary and Poland blocked the adoption of the paragraph related to the management of migration in the EU.
