Accession of Kosovo to the European Union

The accession of Kosovo to the European Union (EU) is on the current agenda for future enlargement of the EU. Kosovo is currently recognized by the EU as a potential candidate for accession.[1]

EU accession process of Kosovo
Current StatusPotential Candidate
Overview
Chapters closed
Prerequisites & Negotiations
Membership application15 December 2022
Application approvedNo
Negotiations startTBD
Negotiations finishTBD
Travel
Economic & Monetary Policy
National currency and the Euro
Impact
New EU statistics upon accession
Population446,828,803
Area4,233,262 km2
1,634,472 mi2
HDI0.896
GDP (PPP)$25.399 trillion
GDP per capita (PPP)$56,928
GDP$17.818 trillion
GDP per capita$39,940
Gini30.0
Official Languages24
International Institutions & Organizations
Energy Community & Infrastructure Programmes

Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia was enacted on 17 February 2008 by a vote of members of the Assembly of Kosovo.[2][3] Independence has not been recognised by Serbia, or five out of 27 EU member states, and as a result the European Union itself refers only to "Kosovo", with an asterisked footnote containing the text agreed to by the Belgrade–Pristina negotiations: "This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence."[4] This has not prevented Kosovo from continuing its EU enacted Stabilisation Tracking Mechanism (STM) programme, aiming to gradually integrate its national policies on legal, economic and social matters with the EU, so that at some point in the future Kosovo could qualify for EU membership.

To ensure stability at the territory and neutral rule of law enforcement, the EU is operating in Kosovo under the umbrella of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), deploying police and civilian resources under the European Union Rule of Law Mission (EULEX).

The Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) between the EU and Kosovo was signed on 26 February 2016 and went into force on 1 April 2016.[5]

On 6 February 2018, the European Commission published its expansion plan[6] to cover up to six Western Balkan countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. The plan envisages that all six applicants could achieve accession as members of the European Union after 2025.

Kosovo formally submitted an application for membership on 15 December 2022.[7][8][9]

Relations and recognition

A map of EU member states and their stance on Kosovo's independence
Key:
  Kosovo
  EU members which recognise Kosovo
  EU members which have not recognised Kosovo

As of May 2020, 22 of the 27 member states recognise the Republic of Kosovo as an independent state. The EU states that do not recognise Kosovo's independence are Spain, Slovakia, Cyprus, Romania, and Greece. As a result, the European Union itself refers only to "Kosovo", with an asterisked footnote containing the text agreed to by the Belgrade–Pristina negotiations: "This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence."

The European Parliament adopted a resolution on 8 July 2010 calling on all member states to recognise Kosovo.[10] In October 2010, an envoy of the European Parliament suggested that lack of recognition by some countries would not be an obstacle to Kosovo joining the Schengen area's visa-free regime.[11]

All EU member states would need to recognize Kosovo before it could join the EU.[12] Some European officials, including German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel, have said that they expect Serbia to recognize Kosovo before it joins the EU.[13][14]

In April 2023, Cyprus, Hungary, Romania and Spain, voted against approving Kosovo's membership for the Council of Europe,[15] while Greece and Slovakia abstained.[16]

Kosovo's foreign relations with EU member states

EU presence

The European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) is based on United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244, which introduced the international rule of Kosovo in 1999.[17] However, the EU force, which was previously planned to be covered by Security council's approval of Ahtisaari proposal, has not received a new UN Security Council mandate due to the opposition from Russia. Russia specifically blocked transfer of UN facility to the EU mission.[18][19] Serbia also views the mission as an EU recognition of an independent Kosovo.[20]

A 1,800 to 1,900 strong mission was approved by The European Council on 14 December 2007. This was later increased to 2,000 personnel due to an increase in expected instability due to a lack of an agreement with Serbia.[21] It consists of police officers (including four anti-riot units[22]), prosecutors and judges – hence focusing on issues on the rule of law, including democratic standards. The size of the mission means Kosovo is home to the largest number of EU civil servants outside of Brussels.[23] Chief of the mission is French General Xavier Bout de Marnhac, who replaced Yves de Kermabon on 15 October 2010. He is accountable to the European Union member states.

The EU also appoints the International Civilian Representative for Kosovo (also the European Union Special Representative). The level of EU influence in Kosovo has led some to term it an EU protectorate.[24]

On 25 August 2009, the EULEX mission was subject to violent protests, resulting in the damaging of 28 EU vehicles. Three Kosovo police officers were injured in the clashes which resulted in 21 arrests by the Kosovo police. The attack was organised by a group called "Vetëvendosje!" ("Self-Determination") in reaction to EULEX's police cooperation with Serbia and its actions in Kosovo.[25] There is resentment towards the EU mission for exercising its powers over Kosovo while mediating between the state and Serbia. Policies concentrating on crisis management, rather than resolution, as well as the pursuit of ethnic autonomy and its overly broad mandate over Kosovo's governance is at the stem of the discontent with the EU mission.[26]

Stabilisation Tracking Mechanism

A Stabilisation Tracking Mechanism (STM), established for Kosovo on 6 November 2002, is an association process specially devised to promote policy dialogue between the EU and the Kosovan authorities on EU approximation matters, since it was not able to commence with the Stabilisation and Association Process due to its disputed status. In addition, in March 2007, a new structure of sectoral meetings under the umbrella of the STM was established in the areas of: good governance, economy, internal market, innovation and infrastructure.[27]

Potential candidacy

The EU is divided on their policy towards Kosovo, with 5 of 27 EU member states (Cyprus, Greece, Romania, Slovakia, Spain) not recognising its sovereignty. Kosovo is officially considered a potential candidate for membership by the European Union, and it has been given a clear "European perspective" by the Council of the European Union. As confirmed by the Thessaloniki Summit in June 2003, Kosovo is firmly anchored in the framework of the Stabilisation and Association Process (SAP), the EU policy which applies to the Western Balkans which is designed to prepare potential candidates for membership.

On 20 April 2005 the European Commission adopted the Communication on Kosovo to the Council "A European Future for Kosovo" which reinforced the Commission's commitment to Kosovo. On 20 January 2006, the Council adopted a European Partnership for Serbia and Montenegro including Kosovo as defined by UNSCR1244. The European Partnership is a means to materialise the European perspective of the Western Balkan countries within the framework of the SAP. The Provisional Institutions of Self-Government (PISG) adopted an Action Plan for the Implementation of the European Partnership in August 2006 and this document formed the current working basis between the EU and the PISG. The PISG regularly reported on the implementation of this action plan.

Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia was enacted on 17 February 2008 by a vote of members of the Assembly of Kosovo.[2][3] The fact that the declaration was not recognised by Serbia and several EU member states did not prevent Kosovo from continuing its STM programme, which aimed to gradually integrate its national policies on legal, economic and social matters with EU so that at some point in the future they would qualify for EU membership. As of December 2008, fifteen meetings of the STM have taken place. In addition, in March 2007 a new structure of sectoral meetings under the umbrella of the STM was established in the areas of: good governance, economy, internal market, innovation and infrastructure.[28]

In October 2009, the European Commission noted in its annual report on the progress of the candidates and potential candidates for EU accession that Kosovo faced major challenges including ensuring the rule of law, the fight against corruption and organised crime, the strengthening of administrative capacity, and the protection of the Serb and other minorities.[29][30]

Negotiations for EU membership would only start after Kosovo submits an application and is made an official candidate for membership. Enver Hoxhaj, Kosovo's Minister of Foreign Affairs, has suggested that the EU should enlarge to Serbia and Kosovo simultaneously due to concerns that if Serbia was admitted first they could veto Kosovo's membership.[31]

In May 2014, Hoxhaj said that Kosovo's goal was for EU membership within a decade.[32] In May 2018, Bulgaria – holding the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union – hosted a summit on the Western Balkans, which aimed to facilitate accession by the six, including enhanced regional security cooperation and regional connectivity.[33] It was noteworthy that the Summit referred to 'partners' rather than states: this reflects the issue that Kosovo is only partially recognised as a state.[34] The European Commission is sensitive to the issue which was addressed in a speech by the EU's High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini at the European Parliament Plenary Session on the Western Balkan Strategy: " shared, unequivocal, concrete perspective for European Union integration for each and every one of the six partners. Each at its own pace, with its own specificities and under different conditions, but the direction is clear and is one ".[35]

On 3 March 2022 a resolution was passed by Kosovo's Parliament requesting that the government "take all necessary steps to join NATO, European Union, Council of Europe and other international organizations".[36] In June 2022, Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti stated that he planned to formally submit an application for membership by the end of the year.[37] On 15 December 2022, Kosovo formally submitted an application for European Union membership.[38][39][7][8][9]

Stabilisation and Association Agreement

Prior to applying for full membership in the EU, Kosovo sought to sign a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the EU, which according to the European Parliament "defines rights and obligations of both parties until the EU membership."[40] A feasibility study on the prospects for a SAA with Kosovo was launched by the European Commission in March 2012.[41][42] On 10 October 2012 the results were published. It found that there were no legal obstacles to this, as full sovereignty is not required for such an agreement, and recommended that negotiations start as soon as Kosovo had made further progress in the four areas: Rule of law, Public administration, Protection of minorities, and Trade.[43]

2013 Brussels Agreement

On 19 April 2013, the governments of Kosovo and Serbia completed an agreement[44] that was hailed as a major step towards normalising relations, and would allow both Serbia and Kosovo to advance in European integration.[45] The agreement is reported to commit both states not to "block, or encourage others to block, the other side's progress in the respective EU paths."[44] Though it does not amount to a recognition of Kosovo's independence by Belgrade,[45] EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton was quoted as saying, "What we are seeing is a step away from the past and, for both of them, a step closer to Europe", whilst Thaçi declared "This agreement will help us heal the wounds of the past if we have the wisdom and the knowledge to implement it in practice."[45] The accord was ratified by the Kosovo assembly on 28 June 2013.[46]

Several days after the agreement was reached, the European Commission recommended authorising the launch of negotiations on a SAA between the EU and Kosovo,[47] as well as starting EU membership negotiations with Serbia.[48] On 28 June 2013, the European Council endorsed the Council of the European Union's conclusions on negotiations with both Kosovo and Serbia.[49][50]

Negotiations were formally launched on 28 October 2013,[51] and were completed on 2 May 2014.[52] The agreement was initialled on 25 July 2014 and the treaty was signed on 27 October 2015.[53]

It was the first SAA signed after the entry into force of the Lisbon treaty, which conferred legal personality to the EU.[52][54] As a result, an EU representative in Kosovo explained that "unlike SAA with other countries of the region, this one will be exclusively the EU agreement. The EU will co-sign it as a legal entity."[55] The agreement did not need to be individually ratified by each member state.[51] The representative went on to say that "since Kosovo is not recognised by the five member states, we had to issue a directive saying that the signing of the agreement will not signify that the EU or any of the countries recognise Kosovo as a state."[55] The SAA entered into force on 1 April 2016.[5]

State of Stabilisation and Association Agreement ratification

Status of SAA ratification
Event North Macedonia [56] Croatia [57] Albania [58] Montenegro [59][Note 1] Bosnia and
Herzegovina
[61]
Serbia [62][Note 2] Kosovo [63][Note 3]
SAA negotiations start 2000-04-05 2000-11-24 2003-01-31 2005-10-10 2005-11-25 2005-10-10 2013-10-28[65]
SAA initialled 2000-11-24 2001-05-14 2006-02-28 2007-03-15 2007-12-04 2007-11-07 2014-07-25[66]
SAA/IA signature 2001-04-09 2001-10-29 2006-06-12 2007-10-15 2008-06-16 2008-04-29 2015-10-27[67]
Interim Agreement:
EC ratification 2001-04-27 2002-01-30 2006-06-12 2007-10-15 2008-06-16 2009-12-08 N/A [Note 4]
SAP state ratification 2001-04-27 2002-01-30 2006-10-09 2007-11-14 2008-06-20 2008-09-22 N/A [Note 4]
entry into force 2001-06-01 2002-03-01 2006-12-01 2008-01-01 2008-07-01 2010-02-01 N/A [Note 4]
Deposit of the instrument of ratification:
SAP state 2001-04-27 2002-01-30 2006-11-09 2007-11-13 2009-02-26 2008-09-22 2016-02-26
Austria 2002-09-06 2002-03-15 2008-05-21 2008-07-04 2009-09-04 2011-01-13 N/A
Belgium 2003-12-29 2003-12-17 2008-10-22 2010-03-29 2010-03-29 2012-03-20 N/A
Bulgaria entered the EU later 2008-05-30 2009-03-13 2010-08-12 N/A
Croatia entered the EU later N/A
Cyprus entered the EU later 2008-05-30 2008-11-20 2009-07-02 2010-11-26 N/A
Czech Republic entered the EU later 2008-05-07 2009-02-19 2009-07-23 2011-01-28 N/A
Denmark 2002-04-10 2002-05-08 2008-04-24 2008-06-25 2009-05-26 2011-03-04 N/A
Estonia entered the EU later 2007-10-17 2007-11-22 2008-09-11 2010-08-19 N/A
Finland 2004-01-06 2004-01-06 2007-11-29 2009-03-18 2009-04-07 2011-10-21 N/A
France 2003-06-04 2003-06-04 2009-02-12 2009-07-30 2011-02-10 2012-01-16 N/A
Germany 2002-06-20 2002-10-18 2009-02-19 2009-11-16 2009-08-14 2012-02-24 N/A
Greece 2003-08-27 2003-08-27 2009-02-26 2010-03-04 2010-09-20 2011-03-10 N/A
Hungary entered the EU later 2007-04-23 2008-05-14 2008-10-22 2010-11-16 N/A
Ireland 2002-05-06 2002-05-06 2007-06-11 2009-06-04 2009-06-04 2011-09-29 N/A
Italy 2003-10-30 2004-10-06 2008-01-07 2009-10-13 2010-09-08 2011-01-06 N/A
Latvia entered the EU later 2006-12-19 2008-10-17 2009-11-12 2011-05-30 N/A
Lithuania entered the EU later 2007-05-17 2009-03-04 2009-05-04 2013-06-26 N/A
Luxembourg 2003-07-28 2003-08-01 2007-07-04 2009-06-11 2010-12-22 2011-01-21 N/A
Malta entered the EU later 2008-04-21 2008-12-11 2010-01-07 2010-07-06 N/A
Netherlands 2002-09-09 2004-04-30 2007-12-10 2009-01-29 2009-09-30 2012-02-27 N/A
Poland entered the EU later 2007-04-14 2009-02-06 2010-04-07 2012-01-13 N/A
Portugal 2003-07-14 2003-07-14 2008-07-11 2008-09-23 2009-06-29 2011-03-04 N/A
Romania entered the EU later 2009-01-15 2010-01-08 2012-05-22 N/A
Slovakia entered the EU later 2007-07-20 2008-07-29 2009-03-17 2010-11-11 N/A
Slovenia entered the EU later 2007-01-18 2008-02-07 2009-03-10 2010-12-07 N/A
Spain 2002-10-04 2002-10-04 2007-05-03 2009-03-12 2010-06-15 2010-06-21 N/A
Sweden 2002-06-25 2003-03-27 2007-03-21 2009-03-11 2009-09-14 2011-04-15 N/A
United Kingdom 2002-12-17 2004-09-03 2007-10-16 2010-01-12 2010-04-20 2011-08-11 N/A
European Communities or
European Union and Euratom
2004-02-25 2004-12-21 2009-02-26 2010-03-29 2015-04-30 2013-07-22 2016-02-24 [Note 5]
SAA entry into force 2004-04-01 2005-02-01 2009-04-01 2010-05-01 2015-06-01 2013-09-01 2016-04-01[71]
EU membership (SAA lapsed) (TBD) 2013-07-01 (TBD) (TBD) (TBD) (TBD) (TBD)

N/A: Not applicable.

  1. Montenegro started negotiations in November 2005 while a part of Serbia and Montenegro (SiM). Separate technical negotiations were conducted regarding issues of sub-state organizational competency. A mandate for direct negotiations with Montenegro was established in July 2006. Direct negotiations were initiated on 26 September 2006 and concluded on 1 December 2006.[60]
  2. Serbia started negotiations in November 2005 while part of SiM, with a modified mandate from July 2006.
  3. Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 but is still claimed by Serbia as part of its territory. The European Union remains divided, with five EU member states not recognizing its independence. The EU launched a Stabilisation Tracking Mechanism for Kosovo] on 6 November 2002 with the aim of aligning its policy with EU standards. On 10 October 2012 the European Commission found that there were no legal obstacles to Kosovo signing a SAA with the EU, as independence is not required for such an agreement.[64]
  4. No Interim Agreement associated with Kosovo's SAA was concluded.[68]
  5. Kosovo's SAA was the first signed after the entry into force of the Lisbon treaty, which conferred a legal personality to the EU. As a result, unlike previous SAAs Kosovo's is exclusively between it and the EU and Euratom, and the member states are not parties independently.[65][69][70]

Unilateral euro adoption

Before Kosovo declared independence in 2008, Kosovo's economy had undergone a currency substitution, with the Deutsche Mark being the most used currency. As a result, like Germany, Kosovo (which was then a United Nations mandate) switched to the euro on 1 January 2002. The change to the euro was achieved in cooperation with the European Central Bank, and several national banks in the Eurozone. Kosovo does not mint any coins of its own.

It is unclear how Kosovo's unilateral use of the euro will impact its aspirations for further integration into the EU, which requires that states meet several convergence criteria prior to being allowed to join the eurozone. Montenegro, like Kosovo, has also unilaterally adopted the euro and is currently conducting membership negotiations with the EU. Since Montenegro's application for membership, the European Commission and the ECB have voiced their discontent over its use of the euro on several occasions.[72] A statement attached to Montenegro's Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU read: "unilateral introduction of the euro was not compatible with the Treaty."[73] The issue is expected to be resolved through the negotiations process.[72] The ECB has stated that the implications of unilateral euro adoption "would be spelled out at the latest in the event of possible negotiations on EU accession."[73] Diplomats have suggested that it is unlikely Montenegro will be forced to withdraw the euro from circulation in their country.[73][74]

Visa liberalisation

Kosovo was the only potential candidate for membership in the Balkans that did not have visa free access for the Schengen Area.[75] The EU and Kosovo launched a visa liberalisation dialogue on 19 January 2012.[75] On 14 June 2012, Kosovo received a roadmap for visa liberalisation with the EU, detailing the necessary reforms.[76][77] The European Commission formally proposed Kosovo be granted visa free travel in May 2016.[78] The EU stipulated that the approval visa free access for citizens of Kosovo to the Schengen area is conditional on Kosovo approving a border demarcation agreement with Montenegro.[79] The border agreement was approved by Kosovo's parliament in March 2018.[80] A Commission report from July 2018 concluded that Kosovo had met all of the conditions required of it for visa free access to the Schengen area.[81] However, the approval of all EU member states is required to lift existing visa requirements, and several states have blocked the move.[37]

In 2021, the EU Parliament urged the EU Council to implement the visa liberalisation for nationals of Kosovo,[82] after an EU report concluded that Kosovo had met all of the conditions required for visa liberalisation.[83] In November 2022, the EU Council proposed implementing the visa liberalisation on 1 December 2023 at the latest, or at the same as ETIAS if earlier.[84] On 14 December 2022, the EU Council presidency and representatives of the European Parliament agreed to implement visa liberalisation by 1 January 2024 subject to formal approval by the Council and European Parliament.[85] On 9 March, the proposal were unanimously approved by the Council of the EU with all member states present, including the five which have not formally recognised Kosovo's independence, voting in favour.[86] On 23 March 2023, the Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee of the European Parliament supported the visa liberalisation proposal with 47 in votes in favour, 8 against, and 4 abstaining.[87] The proposed regulation to enact the visa liberalization plan was approved at a plenary session of the parliament on 18 April 2023 and was published in the Official Journal the following day.[88][89][90][91][92]

Public opinion

Most of public opinion is very positive towards the EU, with the average Kosovar scoring the union a 4.22/5 in favorability (1 being very unfavorable, 5 being very favorable),[93] which may imply accession would receive high support too.

Chronology of relations with the EU

Timeline[94]
Date Event
1 April 2005The European Commission adopts a communication on A European Future for Kosovo
4 February 2008European Council adopts Joint Action establishing EU Rule of Law mission in Kosovo EULEX
18 February 2008Council acknowledges Kosovo's declaration of independence, underlines EU conviction that Kosovo is a sui generis case.
15 June 2008Kosovo adopts its Constitution
9 December 2008EULEX becomes operational
14 October 2009Commission issues communication Kosovo-Fulfilling its European Perspective
22 July 2010The International Court of Justice issues advisory opinion on Kosovo's declaration of independence
8 March 2011Following a UN General Assembly Resolution the Kosovo-Serbia technical dialogue begins
19 January 2012Commission launches the visa liberalisation dialogue with Kosovo
30 May 2012Commission launches the Structured Dialogue on the Rule of Law
14 July 2012Commission issues Kosovo's visa liberalisation roadmap
10 September 2012Kosovo declares the end of supervised independence
10 October 2012European Commission issues its feasibility study for a Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the EU and Kosovo
19 October 2012High-level dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia as facilitated by HRVP Ashton begins
25 July 2014The EU and Kosovo chief negotiators initialled the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the EU and Kosovo in Brussels
1 April 2016The Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the EU and Kosovo enters into force
1 July 2018Commission confirms that Kosovo has fulfilled all outstanding visa liberalisation benchmarks. Decision on Commission's proposal is pending in the EP and the Council.
15 December 2022Kosovo applies for EU membership.

Negotiation progress

Negotiation talks have not yet started.

Screening and chapter dates
Acquis chapter Screening started Screening completed Chapter opened Chapter closed
Overview0 out of 330 out of 330 out of 330 out of 33
1. Free Movement of Goods
2. Freedom of Movement For Workers
3. Right of Establishment & Freedom To Provide Services
4. Free Movement of Capital
5. Public Procurement
6. Company Law
7. Intellectual Property Law
8. Competition Policy
9. Financial Services
10. Information Society & Media
11. Agriculture & Rural Development
12. Food Safety, Veterinary & Phytosanitary Policy
13. Fisheries
14. Transport Policy
15. Energy
16. Taxation
17. Economic & Monetary Policy
18. Statistics
19. Social Policy & Employment
20. Enterprise & Industrial Policy
21. Trans-European Networks
22. Regional Policy & Coordination of Structural Instruments
23. Judiciary & Fundamental Rights
24. Justice, Freedom & Security
25. Science & Research
26. Education & Culture
27. Environment & Climate Change
28. Consumer & Health Protection
29. Customs Union
30. External Relations
31. Foreign, Security & Defence Policy
32. Financial Control
33. Financial & Budgetary Provisions
34. Institutions
35. Other Issues (Relations with Serbia)
Progress0 out of 330 out of 330 out of 330 out of 33
Report History
Acquis chapterApril 2018[95]May 2019[96]October 2020[97]October 2021[98]October 2022[99]
1. Free Movement of GoodsEarly stageSome level of preparationSome level of preparationSome level of preparationSome level of preparation
2. Freedom of Movement For WorkersModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedSome level of preparation
3. Right of Establishment & Freedom To Provide ServicesModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately prepared
4. Free Movement of CapitalSome level of preparationSome level of preparationSome level of preparationSome level of preparationSome level of preparation
5. Public ProcurementSome level of preparationSome level of preparationModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately prepared
6. Company LawEarly stageSome level of preparationSome level of preparationSome level of preparationSome level of preparation
7. Intellectual Property LawSome level of preparationSome level of preparationSome level of preparationSome level of preparationSome level of preparation
8. Competition PolicyEarly stageEarly stageSome level of preparationSome level of preparationSome level of preparation
9. Financial ServicesModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately prepared
10. Information Society & MediaSome level of preparationSome level of preparationSome level of preparationSome level of preparationSome level of preparation
11. Agriculture & Rural DevelopmentSome level of preparationSome level of preparationSome level of preparationSome level of preparationSome level of preparation
12. Food Safety, Veterinary & Phytosanitary PolicySome level of preparationSome level of preparationSome level of preparationSome level of preparationSome level of preparation
13. FisheriesEarly stageEarly stageEarly stageEarly stageEarly stage
14. Transport PolicyEarly stageSome level of preparationSome level of preparationSome level of preparationEarly stage
15. EnergyEarly stageSome level of preparationSome level of preparationSome level of preparationSome level of preparation
16. TaxationEarly stageSome level of preparationSome level of preparationSome level of preparationSome level of preparation
17. Economic & Monetary PolicyEarly stageEarly stageEarly stageEarly stageModerately prepared
18. StatisticsSome level of preparationSome level of preparationSome level of preparationSome level of preparationSome level of preparation
19. Social Policy & EmploymentEarly stageEarly stageEarly stageEarly stageEarly stage
20. Enterprise & Industrial PolicyModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately prepared
21. Trans-European NetworksSome level of preparationSome level of preparationSome level of preparationSome level of preparationSome level of preparation
22. Regional Policy & Coordination of Structural InstrumentsEarly stageConsiderable efforts neededConsiderable efforts neededConsiderable efforts neededEarly stage
23. Judiciary & Fundamental RightsEarly stageSome level of preparationSome level of preparationSome level of preparationSome level of preparation
24. Justice, Freedom & SecurityEarly stageSome level of preparationSome level of preparationSome level of preparationSome level of preparation
25. Science & ResearchEarly stageEarly stageEarly stageEarly stageEarly stage
26. Education & CultureEarly stageEarly stageEarly stageEarly stageEarly stage
27. Environment & Climate ChangeEarly stageEarly stageEarly stageEarly stageEarly stage
28. Consumer & Health ProtectionEarly stageEarly stageEarly stageEarly stageEarly stage
29. Customs UnionModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately preparedModerately prepared
30. External RelationsFurther efforts neededFurther efforts neededFurther efforts neededFurther efforts neededEarly stage
31. Foreign, Security & Defence PolicyEarly stageEarly stageEarly stageEarly stage
32. Financial ControlEarly stageSome level of preparationSome level of preparationSome level of preparationSome level of preparation
33. Financial & Budgetary ProvisionsEarly stageEarly stageEarly stageEarly stage
34. InstitutionsN/AN/AN/AN/A
35. Other Issues (Normalisation of Relations with Serbia)Considerable efforts neededConsiderable efforts neededFurther efforts neededFurther efforts needed
Legend:

indicates chapters in which the European Commission has simultaneously awarded the chapter both "early stage of preparation" AND "some level of preparation".

indicates chapters in which the European Commission has simultaneously awarded the chapter both "some level of preparation" AND "moderately prepared".

  totally incompatible   early stage   considerable efforts needed   some level of preparation   further efforts needed   moderately prepared   no major difficulties expected   good level of preparation   well prepared / well advanced

See also

References

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  4. "Kosovo". European Commission. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  5. "Information relating to the entry into force of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and Kosovo, of the other part". EUR-Lex. 24 March 2016. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
  6. "Strategy for the Western Balkans". European Commission. 6 February 2018. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  7. "Kosovo Leaders Sign Application Request to Join EU". VOA.
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  12. Agreement on Comprehensive Normalization of Relations between Serbia and Kosovo : political and legal analysis / [authors Đorđe Bojović, Nikola Burazer]. - Belgrade : Centre for Contemporary Politics, EU-RS Think Tank, 2018
  13. Bytyci, Fatos (14 February 2018). "Serbia must accept Kosovo independence to join EU: German foreign minister". Reuters. Serbia will need to accept the independence of Kosovo, its former province, in order to join the European Union, German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said in Pristina late on Wednesday.
  14. Ker-Lindsay, James; Armakolas, Ioannis (2017). "Lack of Engagement - Surveying the Spectrum of Member States Policies Towards Kosovo" (PDF). ...EU expectations, Serbia does not eventually accept Kosovar statehood in order to join the bloc.
  15. Andolu Agency (25 April 2023). "Serbia to alter foreign policy after EU Kosovo decision: Vucic". Daily Sabah. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  16. "Serbia 'disappointed' with Ukraine, Greece, Slovakia over CoE Kosovo vote". www.euractiv.com. 26 April 2023. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
  17. Vucheva, Elitsa and Renata Goldirova (14 December 2007) EU agrees on Kosovo mission, EU Observer
  18. "Premium content". Economist. 19 June 2008. Retrieved 28 April 2010.
  19. "Premium content". Economist. 29 May 2008. Retrieved 28 April 2010.
  20. Vucheva, Elitsa (17 December 2007) EU Kosovo mission 'unacceptable' for Serbia, EU Observer
  21. "Serbia, Russia fury as Kosovo independence draws near | EU – European Information on Enlargement & Neighbours". EurActiv.com. 15 February 2008. Archived from the original on 9 June 2011. Retrieved 28 April 2010.
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