European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, said that Kosovo must normalize relations with Serbia to receive EU candidate status. Kosovo applied for membership in December 2022 but has not yet progressed. Kos stated that the EU is waiting for Kosovo’s new government and stressed that normalization is a key condition.

Kosovo is under a caretaker government after elections in February. EU membership takes time, requiring legal reforms and approval from all member states. Kosovo is still in the early stages and has not yet received the Commission’s endorsement.

Kos said she has no signals that candidate status will be granted during Denmark’s EU presidency. EU leaders warned that Kosovo and Serbia cannot move forward without normalizing relations. Although they agreed on steps in 2023, both have failed to implement the deal.

Tensions in northern Kosovo have blocked political dialogue since September 2023. The EU imposed sanctions on Kosovo, which remain in place. Kos explained that not all EU states support lifting the measures yet.

She hopes Montenegro could join the EU by 2026 and Albania by 2027. Speaking about Serbia, Kos said the country must deliver real reforms, not just promises. She expressed support for Serbian protesters demanding the rule of law and anti-corruption measures.

Kos criticized Republika Srpska leader Milorad Dodik for undermining Bosnia’s sovereignty. Bosnia, despite candidate status, has not opened membership talks. EU states remain divided over possible sanctions against Dodik.

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