European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos emphasized on Tuesday that Kosovo’s path toward EU membership hinges on the normalization of relations with Serbia, rather than through “unilateral actions.”

Speaking during a session of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, Kos reiterated that the European Commission is ready to prepare an opinion on Kosovo’s 2022 EU membership application as soon as the Council requests it.

Kosovo applied for EU membership on 15 December 2022, but its application has not yet been reviewed, leaving it the only Western Balkan country without candidate status.

In her remarks, Kos also urged for the swift formation of Kosovo’s new institutions, following the 9 February parliamentary elections.

“A functioning government and parliament are essential for Kosovo to benefit from the EU’s Reform and Growth Plan,” she said.

However, Kosovo has yet to form a new government due to the parliament’s continued failure to convene. As of 2 June, the Assembly had failed to constitute itself for the 25th time.

The impasse stems from a disagreement between the winning party, Vetëvendosje (VV), and opposition parties over the election of the new speaker. The opposition has rejected VV’s candidate, Albulena Haxhiu, branding her a divisive figure.