The 3rd Stabilisation and Association Council (SAA) between the EU and Kosovo, which met on Monday 17 December in Brussels, was marked by tensions. Proof of this is the publication of an EU declaration, instead of a joint declaration, and the cancellation of the press conference, initially planned, “by mutual agreement”, according to European sources.
In its statement, the EU stated that it had insisted during the meeting that "unilateral tariff increases" on imports from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina and the imposition of non-tariff barriers should be “immediately revoked” (see EUROPE 12143).
“The introduction of these tariffs damages the economic interests of Kosovo and its people, reducing trade flows and diminishing Kosovo's attractiveness as a place for investment and business,” the EU said. Before adding: "Any impediments to trade should be resolved within the appropriate fora and mechanisms with the constructive participation of all sides concerned, in a spirit of regional cooperation and good neighbourly relations."
The declaration also underlines the importance of the continued and effective implementation of the SAA, as well as contractual obligations, “including in the area of trade and customs”.
On the other hand, if the European External Action Service spokesperson had expressed concern on 14 December about the creation of an army in Kosovo, the declaration does not mention it . It was only specified that the “main recent developments” concerning the fulfilment of the political criteria, the state of progress of the economic criteria, financial cooperation and the implementation of the SAA had been discussed at the Council.
And while the EU recalls the importance of Kosovo's continued engagement in the dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade, it also warns that “all dialogue agreements agreed already need to be fully implemented without any further delay, in particular the 2015 agreement on the Association/Community of Serb majority municipalities”.
Visa liberalisation for Kosovars was also discussed. While for the Kosovars, it is unfair that they are the only citizens of the region who do not benefit from it, no agreement has yet been reached in the Council on this issue. And this could take time, according to a European source. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)