PRISHTINA, October 20/ATA/- Several civil society organizations in Kosovo called on the European Union (EU) on Monday to lift the remaining punitive measures of 2023 against Kosovo arguing that the circumstances that initially prompted the impose of the measures “no longer exist.”
In a letter to the European bloc, 12 signatory organizations wrote that they were “Deeply concerned about the negative impact these measures have had on the European aspirations of Kosovo’s citizens.”
“Beyond their financial impact, these measures have discouraged reform efforts, restricted the work of civil society and reduced assistance in the rule of law, health, and education. This situation continues to hinder the European integration of Kosovo, which remains the only country in the continent with a clear EU orientation that has not yet received candidate status,” the letter read.
The EU punished Kosovo in June 2023 for what it said was the Kosovo government’s role in stoking ethnic tensions in the north of the country – an area inhabited by a Serb majority.
In May of the current year, the European Union’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas announced during her first visit to Kosovo that there has begun the gradual lifting of the measures.
Kosovo’s leaders have repeatedly called on the EU to lift the measures against their country, even during the visit of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to Prishtina a few days ago. /REL/p.s./
