The Embassy of Germany in Pristina confirmed to Radio Free Europe that it has temporarily suspended cooperation with Kosovo in certain specific areas due to non-compliance with the European Union’s requirements to de-escalate the situation in northern Kosovo.
According to the embassy, this measure, which Germany states is in line with Brussels’ actions, does not affect “projects with the civil society sector, as well as projects that we have initiated”.
“The measures include the postponement of governmental consultations for development cooperation, the suspension of a bilateral climate partnership, and the delivery of specific equipment for security providers,” the Embassy’s response to RFE stated.
At the end of June, the EU announced that it had imposed several temporary punitive measures against Kosovo, as the country’s government failed to take the steps requested by the European bloc to de-escalate the situation in the north.
Tensions have been high in that part of Kosovo, which is predominantly inhabited by Serbs, since late May when newly elected Albanian mayors entered their offices despite resistance and protests from Serbian residents.
Their protests escalated into violent clashes, resulting in dozens of injuries, including soldiers from the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) mission.
Kosovo has not taken any steps thus far, despite calls from the international community to withdraw the Albanian mayors and organize new elections.
The EU has temporarily suspended the work of all working groups for the Stabilization and Association Agreement, which is the first step towards EU membership, as well as invitations for Kosovo’s participation in high-level meetings.
Both the EU and Germany have emphasized that these measures are temporary and can be lifted if Kosovo takes the required steps to de-escalate the situation.
“We want to emphasize that all projects affected [by these measures] can resume at any time. This requires the urgent implementation of necessary measures to de-escalate the situation in the municipalities in the north,” the German Embassy’s response stated.
