Kosovo: There are encouraging developments regarding the five states that do not recognize Kosovo

European Union Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos described as "encouraging" developments regarding the five EU member states that still do not recognize Kosovo's independence.

She made these comments during an extraordinary meeting of the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET), after the rapporteur for Kosovo in the European Parliament, Riho Terras, asked her what the European Commission is doing in relation to the five non-recognizing countries and when it last discussed them.

"Regarding the five non-recognizing states, I follow what is happening and the development is encouraging," Kos said, without providing further details.

Greece, Spain, Romania, Slovakia and Cyprus are the five EU countries that do not recognize Kosovo's independence, declared in 2008. Non-recognition by these countries is considered an obstacle to Kosovo's advancement on the European path.

Kosovo submitted its application for membership in the European Union in December 2022, but it has not yet passed the first formal phase – review by the Council of the EU and submission for opinion to the European Commission.

At the same meeting, Terras also asked Commissioner Kos about the fact that she has not yet visited Kosovo since taking office. Kos said that although she has not been to Kosovo, she is in contact with the authorities in Pristina, while adding that due to the political situation she was forced to postpone a visit.

She announced that she expects to be in Pristina soon, with a focus on reforms related to the EU's Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.

"We have lifted the measures and expect the Government to continue with the necessary reforms to benefit from EU support. He will soon be in Pristina to advance this issue," Kos said.

On April 16, Kosovo received 61.8 million euros in pre-financing, after submitting the necessary documents to the European Commission and ratifying the agreements related to the Growth Plan.

The EU package for the Western Balkans for the period 2024–2027 is worth 6 billion euros. According to the budget allocations, Kosovo is due about 882 million euros – 253 million euros in grants and 629 million euros in loans – making the country the largest beneficiary in the region per capita.

The Geopost