The European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee approved today a report drafted by the Deputy President of the EP and Rapporteur for Kosovo, which refers to Kosovo’s progress towards the European Union.

“Today’s vote again sends a strong signal that the future of an independent Kosovo lies in the European Union. With only a few steps to go on the way to visa liberalisation, the report  encourages all political parties in Kosovo to continue their work for Kosovo in a constructive manner and European spirit”, said Lunacek.

She added that the two remaining benchmarks can and must be fulfilled by Kosovo soon: ratification of the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro and a track record of high-level convictions for corruption and organized crime.

Lunacek said that MEPs welcome the entry into force of the EU-Kosovo Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) on 1 April 2016 as the “first contractual relationship”, and the European Commission proposal to waive visas for Kosovan citizens.

Lunacek also mentioned the most recent recognition of Kosovo by Bangladesh. “This should encourage the others, especially the five EU member states that have not yet recognized Kosovo, to undertake this step.” The report stresses that if all EU member states were to do so, this would increase the EU’s credibility in its external policy and help to normalise relations between Kosovo and Serbia.

“Except for this, my report requests continuance of the dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo as well as speedy implementation of the agreements reached based on the principals of good neighboring relations,” Lunacek said adding that recent implementation of the agreement on telephone prefix is a step forward. “However, implementation is still stumbling on cadaster and energy from the Serbian side and on association of the Serb municipalities, from the Kosovo side,” she said. The report also requests from the leaders of Serb community to take responsibility for their position and role in Kosovo institutions and to act independently from Belgrade. “Sending of the nationalist train from Belgrade to northern Kosovo wash harshly criticized,” Lunacek said.

The resolution on Kosovo was passed by 40 votes to 12, with 5 abstentions.