The European Parliament adopted a resolution on the European integration process of Kosovo, prepared by the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
It recalled that negotiations for the EU-Kosovo Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) were completed in May 2014 and the SAA was initialled in July 2014.
Political situation in Kosovo: Parliament was concerned about the appointment of non-consensual persons whose background might be questioned. It stressed that the performance of the leadership of Kosovo could best be measured by the concrete results delivered to Kosovo citizens and to European and international partners. It stressed that the establishment and functioning of the Special Court, and cooperation with it, should be a priority, and would help Kosovo to resolve and overcome problems rooted in its past.
Fight against organised crime: Parliament stressed the need to step up measures to combat criminal organisations that were making irregular migration possible. It also emphasised the need to find a solution to the threats and attacks against activists trying to strengthen the rights of LGBTI people. Reforms to the judicial system: Parliament observed that strong concerns remained regarding the independence, accountability, impartiality and efficiency of judges and prosecutors and the functioning of the Kosovo Judicial Council. It called on the political authorities to clearly demonstrate their full support for the independence of judges and prosecutors. Further steps were needed to prevent any possible link between organised crime and people within the public administration.
Fight against terrorism: Members noted with concern reports on growing radicalisation among young people in Kosovo, with some of them joining terrorist fighters in Syria and Iraq. They asked for the EU to help address the social issues that were part of the reason why radical groups were able to recruit young people in Kosovo.
Reforms: Parliament noted the lack of progress in the implementation of the strategic framework for public administration reform and the action plan. It called on Kosovo to complete the legislative framework for the civil service, ensuring depoliticisation of the service and including performance appraisals.
The issue of minorities: Members underscored the continuing need for serious efforts with regard to the full implementation of the law which included provisions on the rights of ethnic minorities, with a view to preventing direct and indirect discrimination. The Roma, Egyptian and Ashkali communities, in particular, continued to face challenges in the socioeconomic, education and healthcare fields. Parliament looked forward to the new government’s new framework for improving their situation.
Recognition of Kosovo: Parliament encouraged the remaining five Member States to proceed with the recognition of Kosovo. This would further facilitate the normalisation of relations between Belgrade and Pristina.
EULEX: Members were seriously concerned about the recent allegations of corruption within EULEX. They called for full transparency in the investigation and underlined EULEX’s importance in reaching out to local authorities and encouraging them to meet their commitments regarding rule of law reforms.
Fight against criminal networks: Parliament called on the Pristina authorities to take effective action against the criminal networks involved in the trafficking of human beings and, explain clearly to the general public that there was little chance of asylum applications being accepted. It called on the Serbian and Kosovo authorities to set up cooperation arrangements in order to clamp down on and dismantle the criminal networks that are controlling irregular migrants from Kosovo to some EU Member States.
Fight against unemployment and poverty: Members noted with concern that the implementation of the Law on Labour remains unsatisfactory, as does that of the Law on Strikes. They also noted that the unemployment rate in Kosovo was around 30% and especially affects women’s participation in labour.
Fight against terrorism: Parliament asked the Kosovo law enforcement agencies and police forces to work actively and to cooperate with their European counterparts to achieve better coordination on counterterrorism and in combating drug trafficking and trafficking in human beings.
Lastly, it called on the Serbian authorities to provide full assistance in repatriating the bodies of Kosovar missing persons found in Serbia.