Ireland is a strong supporter of the EU perspectives of both Kosovo and Serbia. The EU’s accession process is built upon the Copenhagen criteria, which reflect the EU’s founding values of peace, democracy, the rule of law, respect for fundamental rights, and a functioning market economy. The Government remains dedicated to supporting Kosovo as it introduces reforms to further align itself with these values, in preparation for EU accession. The Government of Ireland fully subscribes to EU methods of aiding progress in Kosovo in its EU accession journey, such as the provision of pre-accession funding.
We strongly support the EU-facilitated Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue, as the primary framework for reaching a comprehensive legally-binding normalisation agreement between Kosovo and Serbia. Progress in the Dialogue is essential in order for both Kosovo and Serbia to advance on their respective European paths. The recent calming of tensions in northern Kosovo is to be welcomed. However, the lack of lasting solutions to local policing and political representation in Kosovo-Serb majority municipalities remains a cause for concern. We encourage all parties to return, in good faith, to the EU-facilitated Dialogue, and to make progress on the implementation framework for the Ohrid agreement.
While the recent introduction of temporary and reversible punitive measures against Kosovo, including the suspension of bilateral visits and halting of some EU funds, is regrettable, it is important that the EU leaves all parties in no doubt about the importance of cooperation and de-escalation, particularly for their respective EU perspectives. The EU continues to closely monitor Serbia’s compliance with the EU’s requests.
Together with our EU counterparts, Ireland will remain fully engaged in supporting Kosovo and Serbia on their EU accession paths, while holding them both to the necessary reforms which they must undertake to prepare for EU membership.
