Kosovo’s EU Integration process

Renzo Daviddi

Head of EC Liaison Office

Riinvest Institute

10 June 2010

European Commission Liaison Office to Kosovo

Content

1. Stabilisation and Association Process (SAp)

2. European Council Conclusions re SAp + Kosovo

3. Copenhagen Criteria

4. Current Situation in Enlargement Process

5. Kosovo’s road to EU membership

6. European Commission’s role in fostering Kosovo's progress

European Commission Liaison Office to KosovoEuropean Commission Liaison Office to KosovoEuropean Commission Liaison Office to Kosovo

1. Stabilisation and Association Process (I)

• Comprehensive policy framework, building on 1997 Regional Approach

• Proposed by the Commission in May 1999

• Covers Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Kosovo (UNSCR 1244)

European Commission Liaison Office to Kosovo

1. Stabilisation and Association Process (II)

Cornerstone of EU’s long term policy in the region

• Stabilising the countries and encouraging their swift transition to a market economy

• Promoting regional cooperation

• Eventual membership of the EU

European Commission Liaison Office to Kosovo

1. Stabilisation and Association Process (III)

• Feira European Council June 2000 defined SAp countries as “potential candidates”

• “Potential” is not guarantee of membership

• From potential candidates to candidates

• From candidates to members

European Commission Liaison Office to Kosovo

1. Stabilisation and Association Process (IV)

• Trade Measures

• Financial Assistance (IPA, IfS, EIDHR)

• Stabilisation and Association Agreements / Interim Agreements

• European Partnerships and Action Plans

• Annual review mechanism (Progress Report)

• Political, technical and economic dialogue (STMs)

• Conditionality (regional cooperation, ICTY)

European Commission Liaison Office to Kosovo

2. European Council Conclusions (I)

"The EU reiterates its unequivocal support to the European perspective of the Western Balkan countries. The future of the

Balkans is within the European Union … Preparation for integration into European structures and ultimate membership

into the European Union, through adoption of European standards, is now the big challenge ahead.”

Thessaloniki Declaration,June 2003

European Commission Liaison Office to Kosovo

2. European Council Conclusions (II)

The European Council agrees that the enlargement strategy based on consolidation, conditionality and communication, combined

with the EU's capacity to integrate new members, forms the basis for a renewed consensus on enlargement. The EU keeps

its commitments towards the countries that are in the enlargement process."

December 2006

European Commission Liaison Office to Kosovo

2. European Council Conclusions (III)

“The European Council underlined that the EU stand ready to play a leading role in strengthening stability in the region and in

implementing a settlement defining Kosovo’s future status. It stated the EU’s readiness to assist Kosovo in the path towards

sustainable stability, including by an ESDP mission and a contribution to an international civilian office as part of the

international presences…… The EU will also be ready to assist economic and political development through a clear

European perspective, in line with the European perspective of the region.”

December 2007

European Commission Liaison Office to Kosovo

2. European Council Conclusions (IV)

“… The EU recalls its willingness to assist the economic and political development of Kosovo through a clear European perspective, in line with the European perspective of the

region.”

June 2008

European Commission Liaison Office to Kosovo

2. European Council Conclusions (V)

“… The Council welcomes the Commission's intention to present, in the autumn of 2009, a study examining means to further

Kosovo's political and socio-economic development ….”

December 2008

European Commission Liaison Office to Kosovo

3. Copenhagen Criteria

• Political criteria

The applicant country must have achieved stability of its institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities.

• Economic criteria

It must have a functioning market economy, and capacity to cope with competitive pressure and market forces within the EU.

• Transposition and implementation of EU laws/standards It must have the ability to take on the obligations related to membership (known as the Acquis Communautaire).

European Commission Liaison Office to Kosovo

4. Current Situation in Enlargement Process

European Commission Liaison Office to Kosovo

Kosovo (UNSCR 1244)

Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro

Croatia, Turkey

Albania

FYRoM

SAP Dialogue

Feasibility Report

SAA / Interim Agreement negotiations

Interim Agreement Implementation

SAA Implementation

Application for membership

Opinion by the Commission

Accession negotiations

EU Membership

5. Kosovo’s road to EU membership

European Commission Liaison Office to Kosovo

Serbia

6. European Commission’s role

A. Provision of guidance through European Partnership (EP) and monitoring implementation of EP recommendations

B. Fostering reforms and structural transformation through the instrument for political dialogue, the “Stabilisation and Association Process Dialogue (SAPD)”

C. Measuring progress made through Annual Enlargement Package

D. Provision of EU Financial Assistance

E. Fostering Regional Cooperation

European Commission Liaison Office to Kosovo

6. European Commission’s role

A. European Partnership (EP)– European Partnership identifies priorities for short and medium

term and help the countries prepare for further EU integration. – EPs serves as check list against which to measure progress and

guides Community assistance. – European Partnerships are proposed by the European

Commission but subsequently adopted by the EU (Council).– There are 2 EPs for Kosovo, one adopted by the Council in 2006,

the second one in February 2008– In July 2008, the Kosovo Government adopted its European

Partnership Action Plan, EPAP. – The EPAP describes activities the Kosovo Government plans to

carry out to implement the EP

European Commission Liaison Office to Kosovo

6. European Commission’s role

B. Stabilisation and Association Process Dialogue (SAPD)

– SAPD main instrument for political dialogue between Government of Kosovo and European Commission in the framework of SAp.

– Main purpose of SAPD meetings is to monitor Kosovo's reforms and the EU approximation process

– Each SAPD meeting results in jointly agreed follow up actions to be taken by Kosovo authorities.

– Plenary SAPD meetings are held 1 x year

– 7 Sectoral SAPDs (Justice, freedom and security; Innovation, information society, Social policy; Trade; Internal market and competition; Agriculture and fisheries; Transport, environment, energy and regional development; Economic development) take place 1 x year.

European Commission Liaison Office to Kosovo

6. European Commission’s role

C. Annual Enlargement Package

– Each year Commission adopts annual strategy document explaining its policy on EU enlargement.

– The document includes summary of progress made over last 12 months by each candidate and potential candidate country.

– In addition, Progress Reports are published, where Commission assess achievements of each candidate and potential candidates over the last year.

– The so-called "enlargement package" contains also proposals to the Council for revised European and Accession partnerships for each country, in which the Commission lists areas where further reforms are needed.

European Commission Liaison Office to Kosovo

6. European Commission’s role

European Commission Liaison Office to Kosovo

 

6. European Commission’s role

E. Regional Cooperation

– Regional Cooperation key features of SAp and essential for Kosovo's EU Integration process. Regional co-operation should be seen as important preparation for EU membership.

– Regional Cooperation necessity for fighting organised crime, cooperating in the area of migration, increasing trade and attracting investment strengthening. Developments in this part of Europe are related to broader interests of peace, stability and security in Europe and in the world.

– Kosovo is taking part in a number of regional fora such as Regional Cooperation Council, CEFTA, ReSPA (Regional School for Public Administration), Energy Community, etc.

– The Commission will continue to facilitate Kosovo's endeavours to participate in regional fora at all necessary levels in a pragmatic and result oriented way.

European Commission Liaison Office to Kosovo

More info

Main EU website: http://ec.europa.eu

Enlargement: http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement

ECLO: http://www.delprn.ec.europa.eu/

Thank you for your attention!

European Commission Liaison Office to Kosovo