Statement by High Representative/Vice-President Kallas and Commissioner for Enlargement Kos on Kosovo parliamentary elections

Statement by High Representative/Vice-President Kallas and Commissioner for Enlargement Kos on Kosovo parliamentary elections

On Sunday 28 December, the people of Kosovo exercised their democratic right by casting their vote in the early parliamentary elections.

After the political stalemate following the February 2025 elections, we look forward to the swift formation of the new Assembly and Government and to continuing our engagement with the authorities. The new government should redouble its efforts on much needed EU-related reforms.

The EU takes good note of the active participation of all communities and their political parties in the elections. The electoral process demonstrated a strong commitment to democratic principles.

The European Union has deployed an Expert Electoral Mission (EEM) which will remain in Kosovo to follow the post-electoral procedures.

We call upon the Parliament once formed to ratify the Growth Plan-related agreements. The Growth Plan for the Western Balkans is a time-limited instrument adopted for the period 2024-2027 and it is in Kosovo's interest that ratification takes place as soon as possible to make full use of all opportunities under the Growth Plan, for the benefit of its population.

The normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia facilitated by the EU continues to be the only way for both to achieve progress on their European paths. We expect all obligations stemming from the Agreement on the Path to Normalisation, as well as all past Dialogue agreements to be implemented without further delays or preconditions. The EU stands ready to host a High-level meeting once conditions allow.

To recall, the EU is moving forward to lift the measures on Kosovo. 216 million EUR of financial assistance was already released following the orderly transfer of local governance after the recent local elections. We also intend to release additional 205 million EUR early next year.