Serbia - Kosovo relations in the Context of EU enlargement policy

By Elvita Mertins

The European Union (EU) has been set ambitious demands to Kosovo and Serbia towards their way to EU membership. Kosovo has been identified as a potential candidate for EU membership, since its declared independence from Serbia in 2008, while Serbia was granted to the EU candidate status in 2012. Kosovo’s declaration of independence was firmly rejected by Serbia. Consequently, it has led the region into unresolved territorial disputes and a frozen conflict between Serbia and Kosovo. However, the EU has made clear the statement that both countries’ progress toward an accession depends on improving their neighborly relations and ensuring peace in the region. Hence, unresolved territorial disputes have become one of the main obstacles of both countries’ to the EU membership aspirations. 

First and foremost, Serbia has maintained that the two objectives – Serbia’s EU membership and normalization of relations with Kosovo – are mutually exclusive. The EU’s enlargement strategy is based on a development of positive relations with neighbors, and from this perspective any anti-Kosovo policies or aggressions from Serbia are counterproductive to the EU interests. Furthermore, it is evident that, member states have no interests in importing further territorial disputes in the EU.

The EU increases its humanitarian assistance and recovery aid to Ukraine

by Ana Maria Sarmento

The European Union (EU) is providing an additional €32millions to help Ukrainian citizens to survive the ongoing war in Eastern Ukraine, between pro-Russians separatists and the Ukrainian army.

With the approaching of the winter, Ukrainian population struggles to survive in the conflict and basic needs for provision of shelter, food and non-food assistance, health services and protection will be provided by the EU. According to Federica Mogherini, the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, “The EU is ready to increase its support for the population affected by the conflict as part of its overall support for Ukraine.” The EU will also provide assistance to small-scale community development projects, such as medical facilities and schools. Moreover, the EU will continue to promote recovery and integration needs to IDP's (internally displaced persons), as well as communities who have been severely affected by this conflict, such as the Tatar.