No more time to lose: 2026 must deliver functioning institutions and real progress for Kosovo

No more time to lose: 2026 must deliver functioning institutions and real progress for Kosovo

Op-ed by Aivo Orav, EU Ambassador in Kosovo

When I wrote my previous op-ed last year, I was still new to Kosovo, with only four months in office. A year later, I no longer consider myself new. The year behind us has deepened my understanding of Kosovo-its history, its culture, and, above all, the remarkable energy, positive attitude, and resilience of its people.

Throughout the year, my municipal outreach took me across Kosovo. Traveling from one municipality to another, I met people from all communities and listened to their concerns, aspirations, and everyday challenges. These conversations provided valuable insight into local realities, as well as a strong commitment to European values and a desire for a better future.

At a time of profound global uncertainty, values matter more than ever.

Europe is living through the most challenging period of this century. Russia's unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine has shattered long-held assumptions about peace on our continent and reminded us that security, democracy, and freedom can never be taken for granted.

Being a peace project from the very beginning, the European Union has returned to its fundamentals. United in supporting Ukraine, the EU stayed the course, adapting its policies and instruments to the wider security challenges posed by Russia's continued aggression. Strong in its unity, the EU sent a clear message: we will not succumb to intimidation or aggression.

In this changing geopolitical environment, it is encouraging to see Kosovo standing firmly on the right side of history.

Kosovo's alignment with the European Union's foreign and security policy, including its full support for sanctions against Russia and Belarus, goes beyond a mere political stance. It reflects a principled commitment to the EU and a clear willingness to contribute to Europe's security. This also marks adherence to European values in difficult times, which is essential for showcasing Kosovo as a reliable partner at a moment when the EU's enlargement and gradual integration policies have gained renewed momentum.

This momentum, together with the EU's continuous support for Kosovo, represents an opportunity that must be seized.

Since 1999, the European Union has invested over €3.7 billion in Kosovo, making it Kosovo's strongest partner and the largest provider of financial assistance. These investments, which continue to grow year after year, clearly demonstrate that the EU sees Kosovo not only as a partner, but as an integral part of the European integration process.

We have looked with hope and encouragement at positive developments, including the notably good conduct of the parliamentary elections in February and the municipal elections in October and November, followed by the smooth handover of power in the four northern municipalities. This is key to the inclusion of all citizens, regardless of their ethnicity, in Kosovo's political life.

These developments, in turn, allowed the EU to begin gradually lifting the measures introduced in 2023, as announced by High Representative Kallas during her visit to Pristina in May. In the margins of the EU-Western Balkans Summit on 17 December, President von der Leyen informed that all remaining funds will be released by early next year.

However, Kosovo has been held back by a prolonged political stalemate. In many ways, 2025 was a lost year. Political and institutional paralysis not only stalled reforms at home, but also limited Kosovo's ability to fully benefit from EU support, including the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, which earmarked €882 million for Kosovo's economic growth and necessary reforms.

Despite this, I remain hopeful that the final days of 2025 will mark a turning point.

I trust that the elections of 28 December will enable the swift constitution of the Assembly and the formation of a stable government. Kosovo cannot afford another year of stagnation.

The limits of Kosovo's Constitution were sufficiently tested in 2025 and do not need to be tested further. Respect for the rule of law, the independence of judicial institutions-including the Kosovo Prosecutorial Council-and continued judicial reform remain essential for Kosovo's democratic development and European future.

Equally important is the preservation of Kosovo's multi-ethnic character. Kosovo's Constitution, based on the Ahtisaari Plan, recognises Kosovo as a multi-ethnic society and provides strong protections for the rights of non-majority communities, decentralised governance, and mechanisms for political participation. Fully embracing and implementing this constitutional framework is in the interest of everyone living in Kosovo.

It is imperative that Kosovo establishes fully functioning institutions without delay.

The European Union needs a stable and reliable partner-one capable of implementing reforms and honouring the commitments Kosovo has undertaken vis-à-vis the EU, including in the context of the EU-facilitated Dialogue on the normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia. Progress in the implementation of the normalisation agreement remains key for both countries' progress on their European paths.

There is no more time to lose. 2026 must deliver functioning institutions and real progress for Kosovo-progress in economic development, the fight against corruption, education, healthcare, and environmental protection. Ultimately, these reforms are about improving the daily lives of people across Kosovo.

The EU's support in this endeavour has been constant since 1999 and will continue. With this in mind, I wish everyone in Kosovo a New Year marked by peace, stability, and tangible progress that benefits all its people.

Published by: Koha