Kosovo President meets European Council President Costa ahead of EU-Western Balkans Summit

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani met with European Council President Antonio Costa in Brussels on the eve of the EU-Western Balkans Summit. During the meeting, Osmani congratulated Costa on his new role, expressing optimism for continued cooperation in addressing shared interests.

Why is this important: The meeting highlighted critical security issues in Kosovo, including recent attacks on the country’s vital infrastructure. President Osmani’s efforts to present evidence of Serbia’s alleged involvement in these incidents underscore Kosovo’s call for international accountability and support amidst ongoing regional tensions.

Key points discussed:

Security concerns: President Osmani briefed Costa on the September 2023 attack in Banjska and the recent sabotage of the Ibër-Lepenc canal. She emphasized that these acts aimed to disrupt essential services such as water, electricity, heating, and telecommunications for a large portion of Kosovo’s population.

Evidence of Serbia’s involvement: Osmani presented evidence linking Serbia to these incidents, including claims that Milan Radoičić, allegedly acting under orders from Belgrade, orchestrated the attacks. She criticized Serbia’s lack of accountability, citing Radoičić’s continued freedom as a sign of Serbia’s unwillingness to address its actions.

Kosovo’s commitment to cooperation: Osmani reiterated Kosovo’s readiness to collaborate with international partners, including the EU, NATO, and the U.S., to investigate and prevent further attacks. She stressed the importance of solidarity in countering threats to regional stability.

EU integration: Osmani called for stronger support for Kosovo’s EU candidacy. She argued that lifting restrictive measures imposed on Kosovo would demonstrate the EU’s commitment to fairness and encourage Kosovo to align further with European values and goals.

Broader implications: President Osmani emphasized that ensuring stability in the Western Balkans requires a united front against security threats. She urged the EU to remain firm in addressing aggression, emphasizing the importance of a balanced and impartial approach to the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue.

The meeting sets the stage for critical discussions at the upcoming EU-Western Balkans Summit, where regional security and integration into the EU are expected to dominate the agenda.