2025 Commission report on Kosovo

The European Parliament adopted by 412 votes to 174, with 58 abstentions, a resolution on the 2025 Commission report on Kosovo.

Commitment to EU accession

Parliament welcomed Kosovo's continued commitment to EU membership, the broad consensus among parties on European integration, and the high level of public support for Kosovo's European path. It reiterated its firm belief that Kosovo's future lies in the EU and stressed that Kosovo's rapprochement with the European Union is part of a gradual integration process that goes beyond mere formal accession.

Members noted that credible enlargement is a merit-based process requiring sustained and irreversible reform momentum and the rigorous implementation of reforms in line with EU standards, including the Copenhagen criteria. Kosovo is urged to make further progress in implementing EU-related reforms, particularly in the areas of the rule of law, fundamental freedoms, and the fight against corruption, especially high-level corruption, and to continue its efforts to strengthen its commitment to European values ​​and standards. Any pre-accession aid and related financial assistance must remain strictly conditional on measurable and verifiable results in these areas.

Parliament supports Kosovo's application for EU membership, submitted in December 2022. It reiterated its call to the Member States in the Council to invite the Commission to submit its questionnaire as soon as possible and to provide its opinion on the merits of the country's application. It urged the Council to act swiftly thereafter, including by granting candidate country status once the relevant criteria are met.

Members commended Kosovo as a reliable partner of the EU, as demonstrated by its continued voluntary alignment with the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), including its consistent implementation of the EU's restrictive measures towards Russia and Belarus and its clear condemnation of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.

Democracy and the rule of law

Parliament welcomed the overall positive assessment of the conduct of the 2025 parliamentary and local elections, noting that they were peaceful, competitive and inclusive. However, it deplored the persistent attempts to politicise independent institutions, particularly the Central Electoral Commission, as well as the governance shortcomings within the Independent Media Commission. It called on the authorities to ensure that civil society is constructively involved at an early stage in the preparation and implementation of EU-related reforms.

Members commended the authorities for consulting the Venice Commission on all draft legislation relating to the judicial system, but they remain concerned about the limited implementation of the rule of law strategy and the government's insufficient follow-up on reforms, as well as delays in implementing justice reforms.

Parliament is deeply concerned about the insufficient progress made in the fight against corruption and regretted the lack of tangible structural advances in this area, despite commitments made. It also finds it worrying that limited progress has been made in the fight against organised crime and called for the swift adoption of a national strategy and action plan against organised crime.

Fundamental freedoms and human rights

Parliament noted that, while the legal and institutional framework for human rights is broadly in place, its implementation remains insufficient. It stressed the need to:

- strengthen the implementation of legislation protecting the rights of vulnerable groups and persons belonging to non-majority communities, in particular with regard to their representation in public institutions and the use of languages, including by guaranteeing equal and effective access to public education in the mother tongue, as well as access to health care and public services;

- strengthen the implementation of existing mechanisms for the protection of the rights of non-majority communities, religious communities and the LGBTIQ+ community by finalising the new civil code;

- strengthen gender equality and women's rights in Kosovo.

Deploring that the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has not yet been adopted by Kosovo, Members expressed their concern about Kosovo's insufficient alignment with the EU acquis in this regard, as well as the discrimination and obstacles faced by persons with disabilities, including children, in accessing education, health care and social services.

Parliament has expressed concern:

- over the deterioration of the media environment and the climate in which information professionals work, and in particular over the attacks and threats against journalists and media professionals. There must be zero tolerance for physical attacks against journalists;

- on the increase of disinformation spread by foreign actors in the countries of the region, particularly regarding inter-ethnic tensions, notably by Russian and Serbian state-linked sources and particularly during election periods;

- through malign foreign interference, destabilisation efforts and hybrid threats and coordinated online campaigns aimed at influencing political processes and public opinion.

Regarding socioeconomic reforms, Parliament noted that Kosovo is moderately prepared in the areas of economic and monetary policy and competitiveness. Kosovo must align its fiscal framework with the EU acquis and address structural weaknesses, including a limited manufacturing base and limited access to finance for SMEs. Members stressed the importance of sustainable economic growth, reducing unemployment, and strengthening the country's social protection system in accordance with the EU acquis.