TIRANA, December 18 – The European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, described the decision to lift part of the measures imposed on Kosova in 2023 as good news.

She wrote on X that the transfer of local governance in the north had proceeded peacefully.

She added that, thanks to this development, the EU was moving forward to remove the measures. Von der Leyen said the EU had programmed €216 million in financial aid and intended to release €205 million early next year, according to KosovaPress.

The European Union had imposed sanctions on Kosova in June 2023 following tensions in the north.

Acting Deputy Prime Minister Besnik Bislimi announced on Tuesday that he had received a letter from Gert Jan Koopman, Director-General for EU Enlargement, informing that the Commission had decided to lift most of the measures against Kosova.

He stated that the government had consistently pushed for the removal of the measures. Bislimi said the step by the EU should continue promptly with their full removal, emphasizing that no reason remained for some of the measures to stay in place, especially after the lawful and peaceful transfer of authority in the four northern municipalities.

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