Brussels, 16/10/2009 (Agence Europe) - The fact that five of its member states (Spain, Greece, Cyprus, Slovakia and Romania) have still not recognised Kosovo's independence should not prevent the EU from intensifying its relations with this former Serb province. Kosovo made a unilateral declaration of independence in April 2008 and the EU has already offered it a “European Perspective” including future accession if all criteria are met - after the fashion of all the other Western Balkan states.
This is the main message delivered by the specific communication on “Kosovo - Fulfilling its European Perspective” adopted by the European Commission on 14 October with the other progress reports on its “enlargement package” (EUROPE 9998). Notwithstanding the differences between the EU member states on Kosovo's legal status, the EU has a series of instruments available, that can be mobilised to promote the political and socio-economic development of Kosovo, the Commission argues. The country in question, which has reached “certain political stability” while security remains highly precarious, “must not be left behind as the Western Balkans region progresses towards the EU”, the Commission stresses. Without prejudice to the status of Kosovo, the Commission proposes the EU take a number of practical steps to ensure Kosovo's continued progress towards Europe. However, the Commission points out, the European offer of rapprochement and support is conditional. It will only be implemented as Kosovo moves forward in its internal reforms and in the achievement of its “European programme”, mainly the priorities and commitments defined as part of the Stabilisation and Association Process and the European Partnership adopted by the EU in 2008.
As long as Kosovo is ready to do its share of the work, the Commission proposes that member states should: - open a dialogue on visas with a view to possible liberalisation of the visa regime once the necessary reforms have been carried out and conditions met; - extend the autonomous trade measures and, once Kosovo meets the relevant requirements, propose negotiating directives for a trade agreement in due course; - facilitate Kosovo's participation in the pan-Euro-Med cumulation of origin, once a trade agreement is in place; - progressively integrate Kosovo into the economic and fiscal surveillance framework that has been established with the Western Balkans; - examine the opportunity of a framework agreement with Kosovo on the general principles of its participation in Community programmes, and on this basis prepare negotiating directives; - strengthen and deepen Kosovo's participation in the Stabilisation and Association Process (SAP) through establishing a regular “SAP Dialogue”; - and progressively activate the cross-border cooperation IPA (Instrument for Pre-Accession) component (component II) for Kosovo. The Commission is ready to provide financial and technical aid to all these initiatives. The full text of the communication is available on the Commission's website: http: //ec.europa.eu/enlargement/pdf/key_documents/2009/kosovo_study_en.pdf. (H.B./transl.jl)