EU Statement – UN Security Council Open Debate: Kosovo (UNMIK)

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Madam/Mr President,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States. 

The Candidate Countries North Macedonia*, Montenegro* and the Republic of Moldova align themselves with this statement.

1. The European Union remains fully and unequivocally committed to the EU membership perspective of the Western Balkans. 

2. The European Union recalls the key importance of the EU-facilitated dialogue on normalisation between Belgrade and Pristina, led by High Representative Kaja Kallas and supported by EU Special Representative Peter Sørensen. Progress on normalisation of their relations is among the essential conditions for the European path of both parties. This includes the full implementation of the 2023 Agreement on the Path to Normalisation and all previous agreements reached in the EU-facilitated Dialogue. The High Representative reiterated this in her meetings with the leaders of Serbia and Kosovo in the margins of UNGA. While the High Representative remains ready to convene a high-level meeting, facilitation cannot substitute for political will in Belgrade and Pristina. We expect from both Parties to take the normalisation of their relations forward, engage in good faith and create the conditions for such a meeting to take place.

3. The EU remains concerned about the situation in the northern part of Kosovo and the developments that occurred over the summer, including the demolition of private properties and allegations of misbehaviour by Kosovo police officers. Issues affecting the non-majority communities should be carefully coordinated and addressed in full compliance with Dialogue agreements and the applicable framework under Kosovo law.

4. The EU commends the 14 March Agreement between the EU and Kosovo concerning the implementation of Kosovo’s Law on Foreigners as a positive step. This allowed for essential health and education services to remain uninterrupted.  It stresses the importance of its proper continuous implementation. The EU reiterates that any process affecting Serbia-supported education and healthcare services should be inclusive and coordinated with representatives of the Kosovo Serb community within the framework of the agreements reached in the EU-facilitated Dialogue. 

5. The EU deeply regrets the decrees by the former acting President following the decisions of the Kosovo Judicial and Kosovo Prosecutor Councils to accept the resignations of Kosovo Serb judges and prosecutors that had already been withdrawn. This risks further entrenching the underrepresentation of Kosovo Serbs in the justice system. The EU calls on all relevant actors concerned to create the conditions for a multi-ethnic judiciary, in full compliance with Kosovo law, due process, and the commitments made in the EU-facilitated Dialogue.

6. Kosovo and Serbia must pursue sustained de-escalation efforts. We expect all political leaders to act responsibly, refrain from inflammatory rhetoric, and contribute to an environment of trust and regional stability. There is no place in Europe for rhetoric justifying or advocating ethnic cleansing. Such statements run counter to the values of human dignity, reconciliation, accountability and good neighbourly relations on which the European Union is founded. Any glorification of war criminals, genocide denial and revisionism contradict the most fundamental European values and have no place in the EU. Statements made in this regard following the death and burial of a convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić are unacceptable. Reconciliation and good neighbourly relations in the Western Balkans remain central to building a shared future.

7. The EU deeply regrets that Serbia has still not taken the necessary steps to bring to justice those responsible for the attack in northern Kosovo in September 2023. We also expect Serbia to fully cooperate through the established channel for mutual legal assistance. The issue is long pending and needs to be promptly followed up by Serbia.

8. The EU reiterates the necessity for Kosovo to have fully functional institutions to focus on EU-related reforms and the EU-facilitated Dialogue and advance on its European path. 

   9.  L’Union européenne rappelle l’importance d’une étroite coopération du Kosovo avec la mission EULEX ainsi qu’avec les autres acteurs internationaux concernés.  L’Union européenne se félicite de la bonne coopération avec la MINUK.

   10. L’Union européenne réaffirme son soutien de longue date aux Chambres spécialisées pour le Kosovo et à leur mandat, en tant qu’institution créée par des décisions de l’Assemblée du Kosovo en 2014 et 2015 et opérant dans le cadre du système juridique kosovar. Leur mandat doit être pleinement respecté. La loi adoptée par l’Assemblée du Kosovo, modifiant et complétant la loi relative aux Chambres spécialisées, ne satisfait pas aux obligations internationales du Kosovo. Nous appelons le Kosovo à respecter pleinement et sans réserve ses obligations internationales afin de garantir l’indépendance, l’impartialité et l’intégrité judicaire des Chambres spécialisées pour le Kosovo.

   11. The EU continues to call on political leaders for restraint after the recent first-instance judgment in the case of the Specialist Prosecutor v. Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi. The convicted individuals have the right to appeal the judgment before a separate Appeals Panel composed of independent judges. 

Thank you, President.

1. Montenegro continues to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.
2. This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.