RFE: Borrell recommends lifting of measures against Kosovo

They confirmed that Borrell based this recommendation on the fact that Kosovo has taken steps toward fulfilling EU’s demands expressed in the statement of June 3, 2023.

The EU foreign policy chief presented the report recommending the lifting of measures to the member states on June 18.

The ambassadors of EU member countries will discuss the document on June 19, while RFE sources underline that the result of the ambassadors' discussion will shape EU's further steps regarding this matter.

According to the sources that have reviewed the document, Borrell stated in his report that the lifting of measures would be a political signal and contribute to a balanced context in which the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue could progress.

In the meantime, Kosovo is expected to seize this opportunity to act in a de-escalatory manner and avoid uncoordinated actions.

The EU introduced punitive measures against Kosovo in June 2023 following violent events in the north of Kosovo at end of May, when elected mayors of Albanian nationality entered municipal buildings and assumed office. The 2023 elections were boycotted by the Belgrade-backed Serb List and by the local Serb population.