PRISTINA, June 18 /ATA/ – Kosovo’s European integration is expected to become challenging this year as Spain, one of the five EU member states that haven’t recognized the country yet, will, for the fifth time, assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union during the second half of 2023.
Spain’s refusal to recognize Kosovo and the recent political developments in the country, with the EU warning that it will impose a series of restrictive measures, could lead to the halt of Kosovo’s EU integration process. However, the ruling Vetëvendosja (Self-Determination) Movement, LVV, doesn’t expect the EU’s approach to Kosovo to change during the Spanish EU Council Presidency.
LVV lawmaker, also member of the Parliamentary Committee on the Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Fitore Pacolli told KosovaPress agency that Spain should pursue a fair approach to Kosovo, despite the fact that Madrid does not recognize the country’s independence.
“If a fair approach is pursued regarding each country that has applied for EU membership, such approach should then be in compliance with the work done by that country. So, if Kosovo is actively working to consolidate order, rule of law, strengthen the justice system, make it as independent as possible, and deepen democracy, then there is no reason for Spain to pursue a different approach, albeit it doesn’t recognize Kosovo. There is a broad accord that Kosovo should not be blocked as the country moves forward with the EU integration processes,” Pacolli said.
However, the chairwoman of the Committee on European Integration, Rezarta Krasniqi voices scepticism about Kosovo’s advancement towards the EU during the Spanish Presidency.
The Democratic League MP told KosovaPress that Spain pursues an aggressive approach to Kosovo and therefore everything can be expected from Spain, particularly following the most recent disputes between Kosovo and the EU.
“Everything is expected from Spain, but also from other (non-recognising) countries. You know that Spain does not recognize Kosovo… We have no lobbying, as this government has no strategy, no plan in the international arena. But, I still hope and believe that Prime Minister Kurti will sit down and talk with the EU and the USA so that we can avoid sanctions,” she said.
On the other hand, the international relations experts, Dorajet Imeri acknowledges that Spain will maintain its hesitant attitude towards Kosovo also during its presidency of the EU Council. However – he added – there cannot be any major change to the course of the EU towards Kosovo during its presidency.
Kosovo has officially submitted its bid to join the European Union during the Czech Presidency of the EU Council in December 2022.
/KosovaPress/u.sh/
