EU Commissioner Kos Links Kosovo's Negotiation Prospects to Reform Success

Marta Kos, the European Union Commissioner for Enlargement, visited Pristina for bilateral talks with Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti regarding Kosovo's aspirations for EU membership. During a joint press conference, Kos emphasized that the initiation of accession negotiations depends heavily on Kosovo's success in implementing necessary reforms and its progress in the Pristina-Belgrade dialogue. While refusing to provide a specific timeline for membership, Kos highlighted the critical security dimension of EU enlargement, stating that European security is incomplete without Kosovo's integration. She urged the establishment of stable institutions in Kosovo. Prime Minister Kurti described the meeting as productive, asserting Kosovo's alignment with EU values and security policies. He criticized the delay in evaluating Kosovo's membership application, submitted in December 2022, and called for greater unity among EU member states to advance the enlargement process. The article notes that five EU members still do not recognize Kosovo's independence, complicating its path to full integration. The discussion underscored the geopolitical importance of the Western Balkans within the broader European security framework.