Accession of Kosovo to the European Union

• European Union
• Kosovo

Kosovo as the entire Western Balkans a European perspective, that is, the prospect of one day joining the European Union. Kosovo is " potential candidate ". Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina are the only Western Balkan states that have not yet submitted an application for EU membership.

EU - Kosovo relations

Kosovo declared its independence on 17 February 2008. The independence of Kosovo has so far been recognized by 23 of the 28 EU Member States. Greece, Romania, Slovakia, Spain and Cyprus to recognize the Republic of Kosovo not to.

The Council of the European Union has taken immediately after Kosovo's declaration of independence to note that "the Member States in accordance with national practice and international law will decide on their relations with Kosovo. " The European Council, in its meeting on 19 June 2008, that Kosovo as well as the rest of the Western Balkans is open to a clear European perspective. The Council explained to want to play a leading role in the stabilization of Kosovo the EU's readiness.

The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, welcomed the ruling of the International Court of Justice in July 2010, after the declaration of independence of Kosovo did not violate international law. On 8 July 2010 the European Parliament has called on all EU Member States to recognize the Republic of Kosovo.

The EU supports the stabilization of Kosovo mainly by the rule of law mission EULEX and the EU Special Representative for Kosovo Pieter Feith and within the framework of the Stabilisation and Association Process (SAP).

Stabilisation and Association Process

Kosovo took before the Declaration of Independence in the EU's Stabilisation and Association Process with the countries of the Western Balkans. Control framework is the SAP dialog, which bore the name of the SAP Tracking Mechanism from 2003 to 2010. It includes regular meetings between the EU and Kosovo to monitor the reform up, including a political dialogue. The SAP dialog should support Kosovo especially for further reforms and institution building as well as provide a better understanding of EU policies and European standards.

Kosovo is the only country in the region with which the EU has not yet signed a Stabilisation and Association Agreement. Since 2000, however, the EU autonomous trade preferences in favor of Kosovo are in force.

Reform state

The European Partnership sets short-and medium-term reform priorities. The last European Partnership between the EU and Kosovo was adopted in February 2008 under the Slovenian EU Presidency.

The European Commission assessed each year in the fall of the reform level in the candidate and potential candidate countries. The progress report on Kosovo in October 2009, Kosovo from a relatively critical testimony. The European Commission certifies Kosovo only limited progress in the rule of law and the structure of the judicial system. Only limited progress sees the European Commission in the fight against ill-treatment in detention and against impunity. Corruption remains a serious problem. The freedom of expression will not fully guaranteed in practice. Above all, there was a political influence on the media. Little progress sees the European Commission in the field of justice, freedom and security. The authorities are attested only weak capacities in the fight against money laundering. Despite some successes of the struggle remained a serious problem against drug trafficking and organized crime. Economic and social rights are not fully guaranteed. Problem areas are mainly the protection of women against violence, child trafficking and child labor. The unemployment rate in Kosovo is still high. Chocks are mainly a weak rule of law, lack of transport and energy infrastructure, and poorly differentiated production possibilities. The European Commission calls on Kosovo to protect the minorities of Kosovo better, especially Serbs and Roma.

The European Commission has published a study entitled " Kosovo - Fulfilling its European Perspective" on 14 October 2009 submitted. She examines it, can not be like the European perspective of Kosovo strengthened and specified. The Commission proposes in front of a " structured approach " with remote target visa liberalization as well as discussions in the direction of an EU trade agreement with Kosovo.

Financial support

Under the EU 's Instrument for Pre -Accession Assistance ( IPA) Kosovo should receive EUR 2008 to 2012 approximately 496.8 million to support the EU pre-accession for years. 2010 IPA funds in the amount of 67.3 million euros are earmarked for Kosovo. In addition, Kosovo also receives EU macro-financial assistance.

At a donors' conference in Brussels in July 2008, the international community Kosovo said support amounting to EUR 1.2 billion for the coming years. Between them, about 800 million euros, the EU and its Member States in view.

Euro

Legal tender in Kosovo as in the neighboring country of Montenegro, the euro. Kosovo led in September 1999, the German mark as legal tender one, after it had left the room the Serbian Dinar currency. On 1 January 2002, the euro-denominated notes and coins solved the D- Mark from a payment method. Kosovo but in comparison to the third countries: Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican City does not bring the right own euro coins in circulation.

Visa

Kosovar nationals are currently in contrast to all other Western Balkan countries a visa if they intend to enter the Schengen area. This also applies to residents of Kosovo with Serbian passports. Visa liberalization for Serbian citizens from December 19, 2009 does not apply to them.

The Council of the European Union on 8 December 2009 stressed that " Kosovo should have the perspective of visa liberalization also once all conditions are met, and calls on the Commission to present a structured approach to the citizens of Kosovo to the EU be approximated. "