EP on Kosovo: Reforms Not Yielding Results, Freedom of Press Threatened

European Parliament (Beta/AP)

A lack of successful reforms, an inefficient battle against corruption, political interference in the justice system, the nontransparent financing of political parties, widespread disinformation regarding the EU, threatened media freedoms, attacks on journalists and a deficit of freedom of expression are the key objections listed in amendments to a European Parliament report on Kosovo.

In the amendments to the report by the EP's rapporteur for Kosovo Viola fon Karmon, which were voted on by members of the EP's Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) in written form on Feb. 23, they call on Pristina to meet the obligations that it had assumed, and voice their regret over the poor implementation of reforms and insists on dialog with Belgrade and the normalization of ties between the "two states," the N1 TV station has reported.

"We stress that the normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo is a priority and prerequisite for the further EU integration of the two countries, which is a key condition for securing the stability and prosperity of the wider region. We reiterate our earlier call to continue the full implementation of the agreements reached so far, in good faith and timely, including the creation of the Community of Serb Municipalities without further delay, one of the amendments that the N1 TV station obtained says.

The report adopted by the AFET will be reviewed by members of the EP at a plenary session on March 24 and March 25.