The President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, said on Wednesday in Pristina that a reduction in tensions in northern Kosovo is needed so that the European Union can lift punitive measures against Kosovo.
"As you know, these measures are related to the need to reduce tensions in the region and in the north of the country. I hope that this de-escalation will happen as soon as possible. After the de-escalation, we can move forward and lift the measures," Costa said, speaking at a joint press conference with Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani.
The EU imposed punitive measures against Kosovo in 2023 - following rising tensions in the north of the country - and continues to keep them in force on the grounds that Kosovo has not yet done enough to de-escalate the situation in the Serb-majority north.
He added that he hopes that "recent events do not represent a new trend, but rather an exception that confirms that you are committed to de-escalating the situation and moving forward on the European path and engaging in the Brussels dialogue."
Meanwhile, during his visit to Pristina, Costa will be received in a meeting by the acting Prime Minister, Albin Kurti.
Costa is visiting Kosovo at a time when Kosovo lawmakers have failed to form an Assembly following elections held in February, even after 15 attempts. Albin Kurti's government is still in office, pending the formation of a new government after the constitution of the Assembly.
The visit also comes at a time when Kosovo leaders are stepping up calls for the European Union to lift punitive measures imposed following tensions in the north of the country. These measures remain in place, arguing that Kosovo has not taken sufficient steps to de-escalate the situation in Serb-majority municipalities.
Costa will be in Montenegro on Wednesday morning. The day before, he visited Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
During a press conference with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, Costa stressed that dialogue with Kosovo is key to Serbia's EU membership, and added that a clear stance on condemning Russian aggression against Ukraine is equally important.
Regarding Vučić's visit to Moscow for the Victory Day celebration, despite messages from Brussels asking him not to go, Costa said that Vučić explained to him that he went to celebrate a historical event.
"We cannot change history, I fully understand that Serbia celebrates liberation, but we cannot celebrate this without condemning the current invasion of another state," Costa said.
In Sarajevo, he expressed concern about what he called "the divisive actions of Republika Srpska," describing them as a threat to the stability and European future of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
After Kosovo, he will also visit North Macedonia, as well as Albania, where he will participate in the European Political Community Summit.
EU leaders elected Portuguese Antonio Costa as president of the European Council, a position he will take on on December 1, 2024./ REL (A2 Televizion)
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