The European Union has taken temporary measures against Kosovo following the Kosovo government’s refusal to take steps towards de-escalation as proposed by Brussels. The Kosovo PM described the move as „unfair“, adding that he will continue to implement his program. He came under an avalanche of criticism from the opposition, who once again demanded an extraordinary session in order to discuss the new situation, as well as the dismissal of the Kosovo prime minister, who they accuse of bringing sanctions to Kosovo, instead Euro-Atlantic integration.
For weeks, the EU has been announcing measures against Kosovo with constant calls to Pristina to take steps to de-escalate the situation in the north, while the Kosovo Prime Minister, on the other hand, continues to present his proposals, refusing to listen to the West.
As the media reported this weekend, the EU measures have already entered into force, and Brussels also confirmed that they informed the Kosovo government about them on the 28th of June.
Kosovo’s Prime Minister did not react to the news until yesterday, or a day after the media reported about it.
Although he said last week that the EU „finds its partner and the most sincere and stable ally in the region“ in Kosovo, on Sunday he described the EU’s measures as unfair, noting that Kosovo cannot compromise „neither with the rule of law, nor with constitutionalism of the country“.
As a result, he announced that he will continue to implement his government’s program, adding that he hopes that the temporary measures of the European Union „will be short.”
The head of the parliamentary group of the Self-Determination movement, Mimoza Kusari-Lila, said that Kosovo has not been undertaking any actions that destabilize the north.
On the other hand, she said that „they cannot stop the rule of law and influence the mayors to resign.“
Kusari-Lila said that they can only resign if they believe it is the right thing to do and there is no political pressure.
And while Kurti expresses hope, the opposition continues to criticize his moves.
Immediately after the media reported that the implementation of measures against Kosovo had begun, an avalanche of criticism came forward, while several officials called for Kurti’s dismissal, or more specifically, „a new path without Kurti„.
The President of the Democratic Party of Kosovo, Memli Krasniqi, invited the members of the Governing Council of the party to meet today to discuss the „serious situation“ and the way forward.
„The situation is not normal and we cannot pretend that it is. Citizens need clarity at these confusing times. And one thing is more than clear: Kosovo cannot remain hostage to Albin Kurti’s whims,“ Krasniqi wrote in a Facebook post.
Furthermore, he called Kurti an „irresponsible PM“, stating that he is putting Kosovo on the „map of sanctioned countries“.
The vice-president of this same party, Vlora Citaku, said last night that „divided from within, and sanctioned by allies“ was the result of Kurti’s rule, adding that Kosovo „does not belong to one man.”
Today, she commented on Kurti’s statement, stating that he „generalized as always and said nothing.“
„The president continues to remain silent. Moments like these are decisive for the political and strategic trajectory of a country. What kind of Kosovo do we want? Integrated or disconnected and isolated? Enough. Fraud will not pass,“ Citaku said.
The former Prime Minister of Kosovo, and the current deputy of the LDK, Avdullah Hoti, also revealed that the EU informed the Kosovo government on June 28 about the measures, which he refers to as sanctions. Hoti added that no information was forwarded to the assembly, or to the citizens of Kosovo.
He called for an extraordinary session to discuss the issue and agree on a course of action.
„Where is the president of the country? Why is she not performing her functions? This binomial leads Kosovo to another path, not to the west. One thing is clear: Kosovo cannot be led by the prime minister and the president, who bring sanctions to the country instead of Euro-Atlantic integration,“ said Hoti.
The spokeswoman of this party, Sibel Halimi, said in a similar tone yesterday that Kosovo is „the only European country under sanctions“.
Halimi said that „doors are being closed daily“ to Pristina and that Albin Kurti is not prioritizing prosperity.
„From lack of coordination with allies, to the escalation of sanctions and toward isolation. This is the current image of our country: The only European country under sanctions! Until … authoritarianism,“ Halimi said on Sunday.
The day before, the leader of this party, Lumir Abdixhiku, made strong accusations that Kurti was responsible for the harsh sanctions.
Abdixhiku said that this is „the high time for a new path without Kurti and his policy of isolation.“
„Suspension of EU funds, suspension of Stabilization and Association Agreement, suspension of high-level meetings, suspension of bilateral visits. Sanctions for Kosovo, progress for Serbia. What kind of victory was this for us?“ he asked.
He argued that Kosovo „has never been in a worse position internationally“, and that „Serbia has never had more support“.
Ramush Haradinaj was also critical. Stating that he is „entering into a dead end“ with Kurti, he once again called on everyone to unite with the goal to replace Kurti.
The unwillingness to act at a time of such a deep crisis with unimaginable consequences for the country is complicity. The proposal to replace Albin Kurti holds national interest today!
„How dangerous and hopeless the situation is, which, unfortunately, will get worse, is proven by the EU sanctions on Kosovo and the warnings of the US that the Government of Kosovo is on the wrong path,“ Haradinaj stated in a Facebook post.
And while the opposition criticizes the government, the government criticizes the opposition.
After a series of statements by opposition representatives, the Kosovo finance minister accused the opposition parties of „blocking international agreements in the assembly“, amounting to 150 million euros.
LDK MP Hikmete Bajrami replied to his accusations, stating that Kurti’s government „is not aware of the damage it is causing to Kosovo“.
„Relativizing the damage in relations with our allies to the point of introducing sanctions at this level is catastrophic for the country,“ Bajrami told Gazeta Blitz.
On the other hand, she „reminded“ Self-determination that they did not vote for the Stabilization and Association Agreement.
„Regarding the international financial agreements that were not voted in the Assembly, the responsibility lies with the minister, the government and the majority in the Assembly who did not reach a consensus on any issue during this mandate,“ said Bajrami.
She claims that Kurti’s government has put Kosovo in danger.
„Kosovo needs a path without these people, without this way of thinking,“ Bajrami said.
On the other hand, a well-known Kosovo analyst and university professor, Nexhmedin Spahiu, said in an interview with Koha this weekend that the Kosovo government should „act quickly“ in order to „avoid sanctions“, namely, that the Prime Minister of Kosovo should „arrest all members of parallel structures“ as soon as possible, thus „normalizing the situation“.
At the same time, he states that it was expected that the EU would warn about sanctions because Kosovo is trying to lead an „independent policy“.
„It is in the interest of Kosovo to do the work on the ground as soon as possible and remove these measures. Arrest all violent structures so that no one aggravates the situation in the north. At the moment when there is no tension, these sanctions will disappear. Then there can be free choices. That’s the only way we can normalize the situation,“ Spahiu said in the KTV „Interaktiv“ show.
On the other hand, he described the opposition’s position on this issue as „very childish“.
As far as sanctions are concerned, although the EU used the term „measure“ or „restrictive measure“, the Kosovo media report that the funds for Kosovo within the IPA 2024 have been suspended, while the proposals presented by Kosovo within the Investment Framework for the Western Balkans were not submitted for consideration to the Board of the Investment Fund at the meeting held on the 29th and 30th of June.
That these measures came into force was confirmed on Friday by Enlargement Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi, when he indicated that Kosovo was not included in the allocation of the 2.1 billion euro fund approved by the Western Balkans Investment Operational Committee.
Allegedly, the measures are temporary and reversible depending on the events on the ground and the decision on de-escalation by the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti.
The EU expects Kosovo to work on de-escalation and remove special and regular police units from municipal buildings in Zvecan, Leposavic and Zubin Potok, for mayors to temporarily perform their duties from different facilities and for new elections to be urgently called and held in four municipalities in the north, but with the „full and unconditional participation of Kosovo Serbs“.
After that, the implementation of the Ohrid Agreement is expected to continue, including the establishment of the Association of Serb-majority Municipalities.
„Kosovo, unfortunately, has not yet taken the necessary steps. Therefore, the EU, as it had warned in its statement on behalf of the member states on 3 June by the High Representative [Josep Borrell], has decided to implement several measures,“ said the EU spokesperson in Brussels, Beta reported.
Last night, the EU envoy, Miroslav Lajcak, also reacted, stating that during the last week he worked with international partners on coordinating the next steps in solving the crisis in the north.
He indicated that „despite the presence of clear steps, the situation remains fragile“.
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