The director of the General Directorate for Neighborhood and EU Enlargement Negotiations, Gert Jan Kopman, said that the European Commission is very concerned that Kosovo institutions are not working to de-escalate the situation and announced certain measures against Kosovo that will be announced later this week, reports Kosovapres.
He pointed out that the situation is worrying and that it is most inappropriate at a time when there is a war in Ukraine, and he assessed that the events in Kosovo have the potential to threaten the EU initiative for the Western Balkans, which was recently announced by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
He pointed out that it is necessary to find a political solution to de-escalate the situation in Kosovo and that, along with the announcement of new elections, it is necessary to form the Union of Serbian Municipalities.
Kopman said that the measures will refer to the suspension of Kosovo's program funding, as well as that the proposals of the Pristina authorities within the Investment Framework for the Western Balkans will not be considered at this time.
In addition, as he stated, the signing of contracts and the organization of high-level events and visits will be suspended.
"I want to emphasize that we are not taking these actions lightly and that they should be seen as temporary, and they will last until we see even small steps by the authorities in Kosovo to return to dialogue and implement the commitments," said Kopman, reports Kosovo Online.
EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Josep Borelj announced on Monday that Brussels will take political and economic measures if the situation in Kosovo does not de-escalate.
BG/FoNet
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