Kosovo to apply to join the European Union by the end of the year

the president of kosovoVjosa Osmani, said this Tuesday (6th) that his country will submit an application to join the European Union by the end of the year, pledging commitment to Brussels-sponsored talks with Serbia to resolve outstanding differences.

“I will announce here today in front of all EU leaders: kosovo will submit its application for EU membership by the end of this year,” said Osmani upon arriving at a summit of the bloc with countries from the Western Balkans, in the Albanian capital of Tirana.

Five Western Balkan states – Albania, Bosnia, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia – are at different stages of an EU entry process. But kosovowhich declared independence from Serbia in 2008, has yet to stand as a candidate.

Belgrade and Pristina committed in 2013 to an EU-sponsored dialogue to resolve outstanding issues, but little progress has been made. The agreement with kosovo remains one of the main preconditions for Serbia’s accession to the EU.

“We believe that dialogue led by the European Union and fully supported by the United States of America is the only way forward to reach a final agreement centered on mutual recognition,” said Osmani.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic also expressed EU-sponsored engagement and dialogue with kosovo🇧🇷

“But at the same time, we have to protect our interests according to the constitution,” said Vucic. Serbia’s constitution considers kosovo integral part of Serbia.

Serbia lost control of kosovo in 1999, after 11 weeks of NATO airstrikes to stop the killing and expulsion of ethnic Albanians in a Serb counterinsurgency.

Recently, tensions between Serbia and the kosovo increased when the authorities of the kosovo took steps to implement a decision to replace license plates on Serbian cars in regions where ethnic Serbs form the majority with one issued by the authorities of the kosovo 🇧🇷

“We always encourage dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, which must take place in good faith for both sides,” said Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

“Unless this issue is resolved – and for it to be resolved, both sides need to take a step back – it will be difficult to make the necessary progress towards completing the integration of the Western Balkans into the European family,” he said.