Pristina (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – During her visit to Kosovo, EU President Ursula von der Leyen criticized Russia’s efforts to destabilize democracies.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived on 26 Oct 2024 in Kosovo as part of a journey to desiring EU member states in the Western Balkans to ensure them that EU enlargement remains a focus for the European Union. During her visit to Pristina, von der Leyen sat with the country’s President Vjosa Osmani and Prime Minister Albin Kurti.
What are the implications of EU enlargement for Kosovo?
“It’s very important that we work together hand in hand,” she informed reporters during a briefing alongside Osmani after the pair’s engagement. “For me, it’s important to look at Kosovo, our partner, and to describe and make possible the path into the European Union. This is the common project we have, we are committed to that one and you can count on me what that is concerned,” she added.
How does Russia’s invasion of Ukraine affect the Balkans?
The Western Balkan nations Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia are in different settings in their applications for EU membership. The countries have been discouraged by the slow pace of the process, but Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has pushed European leaders to push the six to join the bloc.
What tools does the EU have against misinformation?
“We notice that Russia is leading hybrid raids against democracies, and the purpose is to destabilise these democracies,” von der Leyen expressed during the briefing. “But we have tools, we work with transparency, we can disprove the misinformation, we can unveil the propaganda and that’s what we are doing daily to the benefit of a whole region.”
How much funding is the EU providing for growth?
Last year EU officials presented a 6-billion-euro (about $6.5 billion) growth strategy to the Western Balkan countries to double the region’s economy over the next decade and rev their steps to join the bloc. That aid is contingent on reforms that would bring their economies in line with EU regulations. The Commission endorsed the reform agendas of Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia following a green light from EU member states. That was a key measure to permit payments under the growth plan upon fulfilment of the agreed reform steps.
