Communication from the Commission - A European Future for Kosovo
Date: 2005-04-20
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU aid, European integration, Kosovo, UN Security Council, economic development, financial aid

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 20.4.2005 
COM(2005) 156 final 

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION 

A European Future for Kosovo 

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COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION 

A European Future for Kosovo 

1. 

OBJECTIVE OF THIS COMMUNICATION 

The  European  perspective  of  the  Western  Balkans,  confirmed  in  the  Thessaloniki 
Declaration  of  June  2003,  is  also  open  to  Kosovo1.  Under  the  auspices  of  UN 
Security  Council  Resolution  1244,  Kosovo  needs  to  overcome  its  isolation  and 
participate in the region’s progress towards Europe. 

This  year  is  an  important  year  for  Kosovo.  The  United  Nations  will  undertake  a 
comprehensive review of the implementation of the Kosovo standards if conditions 
so  warrant.  This  may  open  the  door  for  the  launch  of  the  process  leading  to  the 
settlement of Kosovo’s future status.  

The  European  Union  is  actively  supporting  the  United  Nations  Mission  in  Kosovo 
and NATO (KFOR) and is working closely with the Provisional Institutions of Self-
Government  (PISG)  to  facilitate  Kosovo’s  progress  towards  the  creation  of  a 
democratic and multi-ethnic society in which all communities can live in peace and 
prosperity.  

By making the European perspective of Kosovo more tangible, the Commission can 
make an important political contribution to resolving outstanding issues and ensuring 
the  stability  of  the  whole  region.  The  Commission  has  developed  instruments  of 
proven  effectiveness  during  the  pre-accession  and  enlargement  process.  This 
experience  should  be  used  to  help  Kosovo  achieve  the  future  set  out  in  the 
conclusions  of  the  21-22  February  General  Affairs  Council2,  and  to  ensure  that  the 
same standards are applied across the region. 

The  General  Affairs  and  External  Relations  Council  of  21-22  February  2005 
requested the European Commission, the HR/SG and the Presidency to examine with 
the United Nations and other relevant players what might be the future contribution 
of  the  European  Union  to  the  efforts  of  the  international  community  in  Kosovo  to 
implement  Resolution  1244,  to  the  overall  evaluation  of  the  implementation  of  the 
standards,  and  to  the  later  stages  of  the  process.  This  Communication  is  a 
contribution to this examination, focusing on areas of Community competence under 
the Commission’s remit.  

This  Communication  concentrates  primarily  on  the  economic  aspects  of  Kosovo’s 
development, institution building, EC’s assistance and the regional context. All these 

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Kosovo is at present under the administration of UNMIK, pursuant to UNSC Resolution 1244 (1999). 
“The Council also emphasised that Kosovo would not return to the situation before 1999. Its future can 
only  be  conceived  in  the  form  of  a  multi-ethnic  and  democratic  Kosovo  which  ensures  effective 
protection  for  minorities,  preserves  the  cultural  and  religious  heritage  of  all  its  communities,  and 
respects the right of refugees and displaced persons to return, contributing to the stability of the region 
and adhering to the values and standards of the EU.” 

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factors  are  part  of  a  broader  context  which  includes  the  security  environment, 
political  legitimacy  and  reconciliation  between  communities.  Without  security  and 
reconciliation  investment  will  not  come  and  Kosovo  will  remain  dependent  on 
assistance. The Commission stands ready to provide its contribution to these issues 
working alongside with other EU institutions. 

2. 

THE  EUROPEAN  COMMISSION’S  CONTRIBUTION  TO  THE  OVERALL  EU 
COMMITMENT TO KOSOVO 

The  European  Union  has  been  committed  to  Kosovo  since  the  outset  of  the  1999 
conflict,  with  a  vast  financial  and  political  effort  to  build  lasting  peace  and 
democracy.  The  Cologne  European  Council  of  June  1999  emphasised  the  EU’s 
commitment  to  taking  a  leading  role  in  the  reconstruction  of  Kosovo.  Immediately 
after  the  end  of  the  conflict,  the  European  Commission  provided  € 378  million  in 
emergency  humanitarian  aid.  It  deployed  a  taskforce  to  implement  the  first 
reconstruction  programmes;  linking  relief  actions  with  longer-term  development 
programmes  implemented  by  the  European  Agency  for  Reconstruction  (over 
€ 1 billion to date) and contributed € 65 million in exceptional financial assistance to 
the Kosovo Consolidated Budget. The EU also committed itself to playing a part in 
the  United  Nations  Interim  Administration  in  Kosovo  (UNMIK),  establishing  its 
Pillar  IV  and  contributing  over  € 100  million  to  its  administrative  expenditure  to 
date. 

However,  six  years  after  the  conflict,  the  territory’s  stability  remains  fragile.  The 
calm  demonstrated  by  the  population  following  then  Prime  Minister  Haradinaj’s 
decision  to  cooperate  with  the  International  Criminal  Tribunal  for  the  Former 
Yugoslavia  in  March  2005  is  proof  of  progress  in  Kosovo’s  democratic  stability; 
however, it could still be disrupted by extremist actions. The Commission’s political 
and technical capital needs to be remobilised to enhance the economic development 
and long-term European perspective of Kosovo. 

3. 

THE LONG-TERM PERSPECTIVE: THE EUROPEAN FUTURE OF KOSOVO 

Since the Thessaloniki European Council, the prospect of European integration  has 
been  at  the  centre  of  our  policy  both  towards  Kosovo  and  towards  the  Western 
Balkans  as  a  whole  under  the  Stabilisation  and  Association  Process  (SAP).  It  is 
important that as Kosovo’s neighbours begin to move towards Europe, it is not left 
behind.  

The European Partnership for Kosovo adopted in June 20043 formulates actions to 
achieve  implementation  of  the  Standards.  The  Kosovo  authorities  have  responded 
with  an  Action  Plan  that:  1)  defines  measures  for  implementation  of  the  priority 
Standards  and  beyond;  2)  assesses  the  cost  for  the  Kosovo  Government;  and  3) 
identifies the assistance required for the comprehensive assessment of the Standards 
and, in the longer term, the European approximation agenda. This Action Plan should 

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Council Decision 2004/520/EC. 

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be regularly updated and its links to the budget clearly spelled out to become the key 
instrument guiding the Government’s work programme. 

The  Stabilisation  and  Association  process  Tracking  Mechanism  (STM)  offers  a 
forum to discuss Kosovo’s progress in implementing the European Partnership. The 
Commission intends to monitor progress on the implementation of the UN Standards 
to enhance the EU’s overall awareness of the situation. The Commission intends to 
expand  the  technical  sector  groups  within  the  STM  to  deepen  expert  discussions 
between the ministries and Commission services. 

In its annual reports on the Stabilisation  and Association Process in autumn 2005, 
the  Commission  will  assess  Kosovo’s  progress  and  revise  the  recommendations  in 
the European Partnership.  

To  achieve  the  ultimate  goal  of  the  Stabilisation  and  Association  process,  which  is 
integration  into  the  European  Union,  the  EU  has  to  establish  contractual  relations 
with  its  partners.  The  possibility  of  negotiating  a  fully  fledged  Stabilisation  and 
Association  Agreement  with  Kosovo  is  not  on  the  table  at  present.  However,  the 
Commission is committed to exploring creative ways to ensure that Kosovo can fully 
benefit from all EU instruments, and – depending on the outcome of status talks – in 
due course engage in contractual relations with the Union as appropriate. 

4. 

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 

The  medium  and  long-term  stability  of  Kosovo  depends  on  its  economic 
development.  Although  progress  has  been  made  since  1999,  Kosovo  remains  the 
poorest  region  in  the  Western  Balkans.  Its  population  of  around  1.9  million  has  a 
very  low  GDP  per  capita  of  around  € 1 000.  According  to  2003  data  from  the 
Statistical  Office  of  Kosovo,  the  unemployment  rate  is  around  50%.  Kosovo’s 
economy needs to grow at a rapid pace for an extended period to lift living standards, 
reduce poverty and unemployment. However, economic growth in Kosovo has fallen 
short of this requirement. The uncertainty over Kosovo’s future status is undoubtedly 
a  serious  impediment  to  economic  development;  however,  its  economic  problems 
cannot wait until resolution of the status question. 

4.1. 

Reinvigorating Kosovo’s growth 

Kosovo’s deeply rooted economic and social problems pose difficult challenges for 
UNMIK  (notably  Pillar  IV)  and  the  PISG.  They  need  to  work  closely  together  to 
address economic priorities identified in the Kosovo Standards Implementation Plan 
and the European Partnership.  

The  Commission  will  provide  policy  advice,  technical  assistance  and  financial 
support where appropriate in order to: 

•  support the Government’s preparation of a comprehensive Development Plan for 
Kosovo  and  for  the  establishment  of  a  sustainable  fiscal  framework  through  a 
Medium Term Expenditure Framework crucial for consistent budgetary planning 
and to redress the unsustainable budget deficit. An MTEF should consolidate the 
financing  needs  of  the  line  ministries  and  public  undertakings  (including 

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investments identified in the Public Investment Plan). It should be established in 
close cooperation with the IMF and the World Bank; 

•  further support the completion of the Kosovo Trust Agency’s mandate to privatise 
socially  owned  enterprises  so  that  assets  can  be  put  swiftly  into  productive  use. 
The Commission will also support the incorporation and restructuring of publicly 
owned  enterprises,  in  particular  the  public  utilities.  The  recommendations 
produced  by  audits  of  these  enterprises  and  the  prompt  completion  of  on-going 
investigations  by  OLAF/UN  Office  of  Internal  Oversight  Services  need  to  be 
ensured; 

•  support  the  creation  of  a  more  enabling  environment  for  the  private  sector,  in 
particular  by  facilitating  the  development  of  small  and  medium-sized  enterprises 
(SMEs).  Since  2003,  Kosovo  has  committed  itself  to  the  principles  of  the 
European Charter for Small Enterprises, but its ability to implement the Charter is 
still  hindered  by  budgetary  and  administrative  constraints.  More  progress  is 
needed  in  the  development  of  SME  finance;  business  support  services;  modern, 
fast  and  cheap  business  registration  and  licensing  systems;  entrepreneurship 
education; and a dedicated business advocacy infrastructure. These efforts would 
be helped by the adoption of a medium-term strategy for SMEs; 

•  help Kosovo to assess public internal financial control and external audit policies 

in accordance with international standards and EU-compliant best practice. 

•  continue to assist UNMIK and the provisional institutions to align legislation and 
procedures  in  the  customs  and  taxation  services  with  EU  standards  and  best 
practice. Support the Ministry of Finance and Economy to build capacity in fiscal 
and revenue policy-making and improve tax collection, notably of VAT; 

•  continue providing assistance for the development of a sustainable and coherent 
statistical  system  with  the  support  of  EUROSTAT,  notably  by  building  the 
capacity  of  the  Statistical  Office  of  Kosovo  to  develop  national  accounts.  The 
Commission  will  also  closely  follow  the  first  population  and  housing  census  in 
Kosovo. In this endeavour, the authorities need to review carefully the timetable 
and preparatory steps for the census, to ensure that they are credible and carried 
out in full conformity with international standards. The Statistical Office’s efforts 
to  develop  sustainable  national  accounts  should  not  be  undermined  by  increased 
focus on the census. 

4.2.  Working towards the full integration of Kosovo into the regional economy 

Under  UNSCR  1244,  Kosovo’s  participation  in  regional  fora  and  negotiation  of 
international  agreements  falls  under  UNMIK  authority,  on  behalf  of  the  PISG. 
However, the line ministries need to participate in these initiatives to ensure that the 
Kosovo  Government  is  fully  capable  of  fulfilling  its  obligations  under  the 
Constitutional Framework for Self-Government.  

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Trade. The Commission will continue to help Kosovo to make best use of the EC’s 
Autonomous  Trade  Measures4,  notably  by  supporting  trade  and  customs  policies, 
sanitary and phytosanitary requirements, and structural reforms to improve the export 
base. In due course, the Commission may reconsider the conditions applying to the 
import of textiles originating in Kosovo. 

The  Commission  will  continue  to  support  UNMIK  in  its  pledge  to  negotiate  and 
implement  bilateral  free  trade  agreements  with  interested  neighbours  –  taking  due 
account  of  fiscal  constraints  –  within  the  framework  of  the  Stability  Pact’s 
Memorandum  of  Trade  Liberalisation  and  Facilitation  in  South  Eastern  Europe. 
This will allow Kosovo to benefit from regional trade liberalisation. 

Environment.  The  Commission  will  encourage  Kosovo’s  participation  in  existing 
environmental 
the  Regional  Environmental 
Reconstruction Programme for South East Europe (REREP) and the Environmental 
Compliance and Enforcement Network for Accession (ECENA). 

initiatives 

such  as 

regional 

Energy. Because of its geographical position in the heart of the Balkans and its large 
coal  deposits, Kosovo can potentially  play an important part in the  development of 
the  Regional  Energy  Market.  State-of-the-art  clean  coal  technology  to  produce 
electricity  could  use  Kosovo’s  comparative  advantage.  The  expected  electricity 
supply  gap  in  the  region  makes  development  prospects  in  this  area  promising  – 
subject to a comprehensive environmental impact assessment. The Commission will 
help  the  Ministry  of  Energy  to  develop  a  strategy  that  builds  on  its  comparative 
advantages.  

The  Commission  has  facilitated  the  inclusion  of  UNMIK,  representing  Kosovo,  in 
the  Treaty  establishing  the  Energy  Community  for  South  East  Europe  to  be 
concluded this year. The Commission will seek to ensure that Kosovo is represented 
in all bodies playing a role in energy market reform and regulating functions which 
affect Kosovo. 

Transport.  Regional  initiatives  such  as  the  implementation  of  the  MoU  on  the 
Development of the South East Europe Core Regional Transport Network, to which 
UNMIK  is  a  signatory  on  behalf  of  Kosovo,  include  transport  development  in 
Kosovo. 

Aviation. The European Commission has associated Kosovo to the recently launched 
initiative  extending  the  Single  European  Sky  and  the  European  Common  Aviation 
Area to the Western Balkans.  

Telecoms. The electronic communications sector plays an important part in general 
economic  development.  Kosovo  will  be  closely  involved  in  regional  initiatives  to 
prepare for adoption of the electronic communications acquis. 

In  order  to  monitor  progress,  the  Commission  will  establish  a  regular  dialogue  on 
economic matters with the Kosovo authorities in the framework of the SAP Tracking 
Mechanism meetings.  

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5. 

BUILDING INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY 

The European perspective must become an integral part of all policies in Kosovo. An 
important  step  forward  was  the  establishment  of  a  European  Integration  Processes 
Office  in  the  Prime  Minister’s  Office,  with  EU  support.  This  Office  is  working 
closely with the UNMIK European Integration Office and the Office of the Strategy 
Coordinator  under  the  SRSG.  The  plans  for  the  establishment  of  a  European 
Integration Committee within the Kosovo Assembly are a positive development. 

5.1.  Working with the institutions to bring them towards European standards  

A  major  challenge  for  Kosovo  will  be  to  build  fully  functioning  administrations 
capable of providing for the needs of citizens. Public administration reform is needed 
across the board. 

The  EU  is  assisting  the  Provisional  Government  to  enhance  the  responsibility  and 
accountability  of  the  ministries  in  its  current  spheres  of  competence.  In  2005,  the 
Commission  will  contribute  to  the  implementation  of  the  Kosovo  Capacity 
Assessment Project. From 2006 onwards, twinning arrangements will allow experts 
from EU Member States to work as advisers to the institutions. 

Progress in the area of justice, freedom and security is crucial for the respect of rule 
of law, human rights and rights of minorities, and economic development. It affects 
Kosovo’s progress in a multitude of areas. Fighting organised crime and corruption is 
vital. Pending further clarification of UNMIK’s plans for future transfers in the areas 
of  economic  development  (including  customs),  police  and  justice,  the  Commission 
has  earmarked  funds  to  assist  local  institutions  to  prepare  to  manage  new  tasks  in 
these areas. 

The  Technical  Assistance  Information  Exchange  Office  (TAIEX)  will  help  the 
Provisional  Government  to  increase  its  capacity  to  draft  legislation  in  conformity 
with  EU  standards  and  assist  in  its  implementation  and  enforcement.  The 
Commission  will  also  fund  the  establishment  of  a  regional  School  for  Higher 
Education  on  Public  Administration  Reform,  giving  civil  servants  in  Kosovo  the 
chance  to  benefit  from  training  schemes  with  their  counterparts  elsewhere  in  the 
region. 

Furthermore, the development of free, independent and professional media is a key 
element for democratisation. Compliance with European standards on media will be 
followed by the European Commission in cooperation with the Council of Europe.  

5.2. 

Supporting the United Nations Mission in Kosovo 

The  European  Union  will  continue  its  strong  political  and  financial  support  to 
UNMIK,  notably  through  its  funding  of  Pillar  IV.  The  clarification  of  the  role  and 
the  tasks  of  this  pillar  between  the  European  Commission  and  UNMIK,  with  the 
endorsement  of  UN  Headquarters,  will  help  to  improve  its  performance.  This 
mandate will provide the SRSG with a clear chain of command over the operations 
of the Pillar under UNSCR1244. That will increase the effectiveness of Pillar IV and 
help it to work with other UNMIK pillars and the Kosovo government. 

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5.3. 

The EU’s future presence in Kosovo 

Since the establishment of an enhanced EU presence in Kosovo in 2004, the Head of 
the Liaison Office of the European Commission and the Personal Representative of 
the  HR/SG  have  been  working  closely  together  with  the  European  Agency  for 
Reconstruction and EU Member States.  

The  General  Affairs  Council  of  21-22  February  has  invited  the  SG/HR  and  the 
Commission to reflect on the EU’s future  contribution in the  medium  term.  Within 
the framework of these reflections, the Commission is concerned to ensure that the 
future international presence is streamlined and integrated, that it does not substitute 
for local actors, and that it will facilitate Kosovo’s progress in the Stabilisation and 
Association process. These reflections need to include the financial implications for 
the Community budget. 

6. 

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE 

Kosovo  has  considerable  assistance  needs  in  both  institution-building  and  finance, 
particularly in the area of infrastructure maintenance and investment. Given its weak 
fiscal  position,  Kosovo  will  need  to  continue  relying  on  donor  support  into  the 
medium  term.  If  the  Commission  is  to  meet  its  political  aspirations,  it  will  have  to 
ensure  a  matching  flow  of  funds.  Kosovo  will  benefit  from  an  additional 
€ 114 million  of  Community  Assistance  for  Reconstruction,  Development  and 
Stabilisation (CARDS) assistance in 2005-2006. This assistance currently focuses on 
institution-building, particularly for implementation of the Kosovo Standards.  

As of 2007, the Pre-Accession Instrument Regulation (IPA) will succeed the CARDS 
Regulation.  The  IPA  regulation  is  designed  to  support  the  progress  of  the  region 
towards  accession.  This  instrument  will  allow  for  flexibility  to  respond  to  the 
evolving  needs.  The  Commission  will  also  have  at  its  disposal  other  RELEX 
instruments to respond to future developments.  

Technical  assistance  and  institution-building  are  important  but  they  are  insufficient 
to foster economic development in themselves. Basic investment in infrastructure is 
also needed.  

The Commission is ready to examine the possibility of granting exceptional budget 
assistance to Kosovo,  in co-ordination with the IMF, the World Bank and bilateral 
donors.  This  assistance  will  depend  on  a  needs  assessment  based  on  a  reliable 
Medium Term Expenditure Framework and on progress in structural reforms. 

In  close  cooperation  with  UNMIK  Pillar  IV  and  the  PISG,  the  Commission  will 
undertake activities aimed at stimulating investment in Kosovo, by mobilising IFIs - 
most  notably  the  European  Investment  Bank  –  as  well  as  donors  and  international 
investors. The EU Member States and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency 
could  also  help  to  build  investor  confidence  through  the  provision  of  investment 
guarantee schemes. 

Improved  donor  coordination  will  be  essential.  The  Provisional  Institutions  should 
move  from  an  approach  based  on  stand-alone  projects  to  one  that  considers  the 

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public sector as  a whole,  allowing a longer time-horizon for  design studies and the 
appraisal  of  viability,  risk  and  sustainability.  The  Provisional  Government  should 
take  the  lead  in  dialogue  with  donors  to  ensure  the  involvement  of  beneficiary 
partners  and  institutions,  as  well  as  due  consideration  of  absorption  capacities. 
Conditionality  on  specific  performance  benchmarks  and  reforms  will  play  a  more 
important role in the future. 

7. 

KOSOVO AND THE REGION: WALKING TOGETHER TOWARDS EUROPE 

The close links between Kosovo’s stability and that of neighbouring countries make 
its  future  key  to  the  overall  success  of  EU  policy  in  the  Balkans.  Kosovo  must 
become a constructive partner in the Western Balkans that does not jeopardise either 
the security or the prosperity of the region. The EU’s commitment and assistance to 
Kosovo  must  be  matched  by  a  deep  commitment  of  the  Provisional  Institutions  of 
Self-Government  to  good  governance  and  establishing  adequate  administrative  co-
operation with neighbours to reduce threats to public safety and to legitimate cross-
border economic activities in the region. 

7.1. 

Fostering regional initiatives 

Through the CARDS Regional Programme, the EU supports regional initiatives in a 
wide  range  of  areas.  From  2005  onwards,  the  Commission  will  promote  the 
organisation of regional events in Kosovo, and will encourage partners from the EU 
and  Western  Balkans  to  integrate  Kosovo  fully  into  other  regional  initiatives.  The 
first example in 2005 will be the organisation of the regional co-ordination meeting 
of the European Charter for Small Enterprises in Pristina on 27-29 April.  

7.2. 

Bringing Europe closer to the people of Kosovo 

Kosovo needs to be taken out of its enclave, to ensure that its people are an integral 
part of the European family. Kosovo civil society needs to have wide contacts with 
its  counterparts  in  the  rest  of  Europe.  Member  States  could  play  a  key  role  in 
achieving  this,  not  least  through  increasing  consular  capacity  to  deal  with  visa 
applications so that decisions on visa issuance are taken more quickly. 

Kosovo has the youngest population in Europe. Its youth is its main asset, in terms of 
economic development as well as reconciliation, but best use of that asset depends on 
greater  assistance  for  education  reforms.  The  Commission  has  opened  an  office  of 
the  TEMPUS  higher  education  programme  in  Pristina  and  encourages  students  of 
Kosovo to apply for Eramus Mundus Master Courses in the EU. 

7.3. 

Fostering returns of internally displaced people and sustainability of minorities 

Ethnically  motivated  violence  is  wholly  unacceptable.  The  riots  of  March  2004 
should never be repeated. The creation of a stable, secure and multi-ethnic society in 
Kosovo is at the heart of the EU’s political conditionality. Many more steps need to 
be taken before Kosovo succeeds in creating a society which fully respects people of 
all  ethnic  backgrounds.  The  UNMIK  Office  of  Returns  and  Communities  needs  to 
ensure the development of a sustainable returns process and a better environment for 
all  the  communities  of  Kosovo,  in  close  coordination  with  the  newly  established 

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Ministry  of  Returns  and  Communities,  the  Provisional  Institutions  of  Self-
Government,  and  other  major  stakeholders  such  as  the  UNHCR  and  international 
donors.  The  Commission  is  also  working  in  close  cooperation  with  the  Council  of 
Europe  to  assist  the  authorities  of  Kosovo  to  restore  cultural  and  religious 
monuments.  

7.4. 

Relations with Belgrade 

The  European  Union  has  made  it  clear  that  open  and  constructive  direct  dialogue 
between  Belgrade  and  Pristina  is  the  only  way  forward.  The  ‘direct  dialogue’  was 
launched in October 2003, and the first meeting of the Working Groups on Energy 
and on Missing Persons took place in early March 2004. However, the violent events 
that followed put a stop to this positive start. These meetings will now begin again, 
and the EU will provide a chairperson for the Working Group on Energy. 

The EU has consistently encouraged all communities to participate fully in the PISG 
as the best way to ensure that their legitimate concerns are addressed. Kosovo Serb 
leaders could provide constructive input on the reform of local self-government and 
on security and free movement. They also need to play a positive role in re-opening 
dialogue and engaging Belgrade in Kosovo’s future. 

The  EU  has  reassured  Belgrade  that  its  own  integration  aspirations  will  not  be 
delayed  by  the  resolution  of  Kosovo’s  status.  Indeed,  constructive  engagement  on 
Kosovo  would  ease  its  own  path  towards  the  European  Union.  Both  Belgrade  and 
Pristina  need  to  take  advantage  of  the  great  opportunity  provided  by  the  European 
perspective they share, to find grounds for dialogue and cooperation. 

8. 

CONCLUSIONS 

With this Communication, the Commission commits itself to: 1) providing attention 
to  the  specific  situation  and  particular  needs  of  Kosovo  to  progress  within  the 
Stabilisation  and  Association  process;  2)  further  mobilising  Commission  resources 
and expertise to be more forward-looking in supporting Kosovo’s development and 
reform  needs;  and  3)  actively  engaging  in  high-level  consultations  with  the  main 
international actors to build a coordinated policy approach for Kosovo. 

The  Commission  intends  to  contribute  to  the  implementation  of  UNSCR1244  by 
supporting the PISG to manage Kosovo’s public affairs efficiently and accountably. 
Furthermore,  the  Commission  will  be  working  closely  with  the  SG/HR  and  the 
Presidency,  as  requested  by  the  General  Affairs  Council  of  21-22  February.  It  will 
continue  to  contribute  -  in  the  framework  of  the  relevant  bodies  that  will  lead  the 
status  discussions  -  to  ensuring  that  Kosovo’s  European  perspective  becomes  a 
manageable reality. 

In  order  to  provide  renewed  impetus  to  the  EU’s  involvement  in  Kosovo  and 
successfully implement the actions described in this Communication, the EC budget 
will need to provide adequate financial resources, and the Member States will need 
to  enhance  their  bilateral  efforts.  The  Commission  invites  the  UN  to  endorse  the 
agreed mandate for UNMIK Pillar IV.  

EN 

10 

   EN 

 
The  Commission  will  continue  helping  Kosovo  to  make  progress  towards  its 
European  aspirations,  provided  the  political  leaders  of  Kosovo  demonstrate  a  clear 
commitment  to  the  respect  of  democratic  principles,  human  rights,  protection  of 
minorities, rule of law, market economic reform and values on which the European 
Union  is  based5.  Ultimately,  Kosovo’s  future  is  in  the  hands  of  its  people.  They 
should  spare  no  effort  to  ensure  the  implementation  of  the  Standards,  which  are 
essential prerequisites for making their goal of European integration a reality. 

5 

As expressed in the SAP conditionality outlined for the Western Balkans in the General Affairs Council 
of April 1997. 

EN 

11 

   EN