EU envoy Miroslav Lajčák stated today, during a visit to Pristina, that "the Union will not lift political and economic sanctions on Kosovo unless the government eases tensions with those of Serbian origin." Lajčák told reporters in Pristina after a three-hour meeting with Kurti: "My wish is for there to be no sanctions... of course, the purpose of this mission and the discussion we are having is to reach a stage where these measures stop."
Kurti noted that he "informed Lajčák that the punitive measures imposed by the EU against Kosovo are unfair and create an unequal dialogue." EU countries had imposed sanctions on Kosovo, whose population is mainly of Albanian descent, following the failure of Prime Minister Albin Kurti's government to meet the EU and US demands to de-escalate conflicts in the north of the country after the worst clashes in over a decade.
The measures include a ban on visits by Kosovo officials to the EU and the suspension of a significant portion of the EU’s economic aid to the small Balkan republic. Brussels also warned of further actions if Kurti does not move to ease tensions.
