Delegation to EUROPEAN UNION - KOSOVO STABILISATION and ASSOCIATION PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE
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1 Delegation to EUROPEAN UNION - KOSOVO STABILISATION and ASSOCIATION PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE Report from a mission to Pristina, Kosovo (17-18 September 2018), which included 5th meeting of EUROPEAN UNION - KOSOVO STABILISATION and ASSOCIATION PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE (SAPC) Participating Members: 1. Mr Tonino PICULA S-D Chair 2. Ms Dubravka ŠUICA EPP Vice-Chair 3. Mr Thomas WAITZ Greens/EFA Vice-Chair 4. Mr Lukas MANDL EPP 5. Ms Julie WARD S-D Summary The task of the EU-Kosovo Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee is to consider all aspects of relations between the EU and Kosovo and, in particular, the implementation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement. The mission to Kosovo was organised in order to fulfil this objective. All elements of the programme (meetings with EU ambassadors, authorities, NGOs, the SAPC meeting) have fulfilled the expectations. The ongoing boycotting campaign in the Kosovo Assembly by two opposition parties (LDK, VV) did not impact the SAPC meeting itself. SAPC debate was overshadowed by the much floated idea of a land swap between Serbia and Kosovo and President Vucic’s speech delivered during his visit to northern Kosovo on 9 September. Last minute compromises on wording on these two items finally enabled the adoption of Recommendations. MEPs held a series of preparatory meeting ahead of the SAPC meeting including with the EU ambassadors accredited to Kosovo. Members also had a working lunch with representatives of non-governmental organisations. These meetings allowed for a better preparation of discussions in the SAPC. The meetings with the politicians were on the highest level (Prime Minister, European Integration Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, President of the Parliament). President of Kosovo unfortunately cancelled meeting with the Delegation at the last minute. 2 All participants shared the general impression that the lack of consensus within the government, and between the government and the opposition are hindering EU-related reforms. Continuing voting boycott by two opposition parties in Parliament has blocked among others adoption of IPA funds risking losing 48 million euros for the country. After talks with the opposition, MEPs obtained reassurance that opposition would stop blocking at least EU-related reforms. Shortly afterwards, the Kosovo Assembly, at an extraordinary session on 20th September, ratified the Financial Agreement for IPA 2017 with 96 votes in favour, 0 against and 8 abstentions (Srpska). Similarly, further agreements on EU programs were supported by the Kosovo Assembly, including “Europe for Citizens”, “ERASMUS+” and “Creative Europe”. Right after the ratifications, opposition MPs form VV and LDK, as well as Srpska, left the Assembly Chamber and did not return for the continuation of the regular plenary session. It can be considered a huge success that, following repeated calls and commitments made to Delegation members, the opposition suspended its boycott to approve agreements on EU- funds. Topics discussed and a list of meetings Topics are not presented in a chronological order and may include opinions from a few meetings. The state of play of EU-Kosovo relations EU Ambassador gave a general overview of the political situation in Kosovo stressing that the SAA remains the only contractual relationship between the EU and Kosovo and pointing out some emblematic events that happened during the preceding weeks. The delivery of the European Reform Agenda (ERA) is apparently delayed and diverted by a number of issues such as the row between the ruling coalition and the opposition contesting President Thaci’s leading role in the Dialogue process; the letter of 12 September addressed by four opposition parties to high Representative Mogherini calling for new elections; Serbian President Vucic’s visit to northern Kosovo on 9 September and his speech in parts glorifying convicted war criminal Milosevic and the recent initiative by the government to establish a Kosovo Army. Further cause of concern expressed by Ambassadors was the lack of unity within the government and between the government and the opposition, a major hindrance to adopting legislation on EU-related reforms, including lack of support from the opposition for the vote on 48 million euros of IPA Funds. Lagging behind on rule of law, widespread corruption and political nepotism were also mentioned as a concern among other issues. During their meetings, MEPs urged the Kosovo Assembly/opposition leaders to ratify the EU-Kosovo Financial agreements on IPA2018 and not to hijack it for political ends. The key message conveyed by MEPs to Kosovo political leaders was that key reforms and laws should not be held hostage for narrow political games and political party 3 differences should not undermine efforts, which are in the collective national interest of Kosovo on its European path. Visa liberalisation All interlocutors unanimously hailed the 13September EP vote on visa liberalisation and expressed hope that Council would follow suit. During the SAPC meeting Co-Chair PICULA (S&D, HR) congratulated all people of Kosovo for having fulfilled the last two the benchmarks on visa liberalisation. Co-Chair KRASNIQI described visas as a ‘national trauma’ for everybody in Kosovo and stressed that 1 million people would benefit from the hopefully positive Council decision, which is now a political one. MEPs admitted that the bar had been put too high for Kosovo, far higher than for others, saying that visa liberalisation would allow Kosovo to demonstrate their unique qualities to other Europeans. Europe does not have to fear a wave of asylum-seekers from Kosovo any more, they stressed. Dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia Two issues dominated nearly all meetings: the much-floated idea of a possible exchange of territories or ‘border corrections’ between Kosovo and Serbia, as well as President Vucic visit to northern Kosovo on 9th September and his speech delivered on that occasion. With regard to this latter, political leaders did not miss an occasion to express their disappointment that the EU did not give a stronger reaction to Vucic’s speech. The Members States' ambassadors shared concerns about a possible land swap and the implications it may have on the stability and security of the entire region. Most political stakeholders also expressed their firm opposition against the idea of territorial exchange, with the exception of one political party, (Srpska Lista), which admitted that the large majority of ethnic Serbs in northern Mitrovica would favour such a solution and thought that it would be possible to reach by peaceful means. The delegation unfortunately did not have an opportunity to personally exchange with President Thaci on the issue, as he cancelled the meeting with the delegation last minute. NGOs regretted in particular the lack of transparency in Dialogue negotiations. LDK, VV and PSD opposition leaders unanimously contested President Thaci’s legitimacy to conduct negotiations, including on “border correction”. They also made it clear that Dialogue negotiations should not be rushed under the pressure of Mogherini’s ending career, saying that “no agreement is better than a bad agreement”. PM Haradinaj said that a possible land swap was a dangerous solution that will only lead to war and tragedies. Parliamentary Speaker VESELI made it clear that Kosovo would “not tolerate a Republika Srpska within its territory”. Co-Chair PICULA (S&D, HR) said that the war finished 20 years ago and now it was really the time to solve this as the current limbo serves no one’s true interest. He expressed hope that both sides remain committed to the EU-led dialogue with an aim 4 of reaching a legally binding agreement in the coming months. Co-Chair KRASNIQI called the Dialogue with Serbia as ‘more than desirable’ pointing out concrete goals to be achieved such as Kosovo’s recognition by Serbia, Kosovo's membership in the UN and acceleration of Kosovo's integration processes into NATO and the EU. However, he was adamant in stating that his party would not allow the violation of sovereignty and the statehood of Kosovo. He reiterated that any agreement that may be reached with Serbia could not be valid without being ratified by two-thirds of the votes of the Kosovo Assembly. He also said that the greatest danger for Kosovo today was the establishment of Association of Serb-Majority Municipalities with executive powers, which would mark a type of ‘bosnification of Kosovo’. Boycott by part of the opposition All stakeholders agreed that the lack of consensus across the political spectrum hindered EU-related reforms. The ongoing boycotting campaign in the Kosovo Assembly by two opposition parties (LDK, VV) did not impact the SAPC meeting itself. Responding to calls by MEPs to give up voting boycott on EU-related reforms, LDK and VV opposition leaders promised that they would endorse all EU-related laws that require 2/3 majority. They also called for a Marshall plan for the divided town of Mitrovica including establishing an EU university. Rule of law, with a focus on the fight against corruption and organised crime Lagging behind with rule of law, widespread corruption and political nepotism were mentioned as a concern by EU Ambassadors. The issue of Specialist Chambers apparently no longer constitutes a stumbling block in EU-Kosovo relations, but criticism put forward by PM HARADINAJ shows that it is still dormant. Kosovo Premier’s main criticisms towards Specialist Chambers were that their target was mono-ethnic, their locations were outside Kosovo giving a wrong political message to Kosovo people and the fact that they were already the 4th justice body after EULEX. MEPs stressed during the debate that rule of law was essential from the point of view of foreign direct investment. Government MPs gave an overview of the Government’s anti-corruption package stressing that rule of law was an absolute priority for Kosovo’s future as a society.