Serbia and Kosovo have both declared their intention to join the EU. However, despite some initial successes, such as the Brussels Agreement of 2013, the dialogue facilitated by the EU and initiated in 2011 has stalled. The reasons for the very limited results are multiple, ranging from the internal political situation in both countries, to ambiguous and asymmetrical expectations of the normalisation agreement. Currently, the most sensitive issue, the setting-up of the association/community of Serbian municipalities in Kosovo, agreed in 2013, shows that the challenges are rooted deeply in history and have a much broader regional context.

EPRS podcast - Policy: Belgrade-Pristina dialogue: The rocky road towards a comprehensive normalisation agreement

Kosovo is a potential candidate for EU accession. It unilaterally declared its independence in February 2008.

All but five Member States (Cyprus, Greece, Romania, Slovakia and Spain) have recognised Kosovo’s independence. In the region, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina have not recognised Kosovo. A Visa Liberalisation Roadmap was issued in June 2012. In July 2018, the Commission confirmed that Kosovo had fulfilled the last criterion. The European Parliament followed suit and decided to enter into interinstitutional negotiations, which are ongoing. After a landmark agreement on normalising relations (the ‘Brussels Agreement’) was reached in April 2013 by Belgrade and Pristina, the European Council decided to open negotiations on an SAA with Kosovo in June 2013. The SAA entered into force on 1 April 2016. Kosovo’s future EU integration — like Serbia’s — remains closely linked to the EU-facilitated high-level dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, which should lead to a legally binding comprehensive agreement on the normalisation of their relations

EU - Kosovo

Kosovo is a potential candidate for EU accession. It unilaterally declared its independence in February 2008.

All but five Member States (Cyprus, Greece, Romania, Slovakia and Spain) have recognised Kosovo’s independence. In the region, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina have not recognised Kosovo. A Visa Liberalisation Roadmap was issued in June 2012. In July 2018, the Commission confirmed that Kosovo had fulfilled the last criterion. The European Parliament followed suit and decided to enter into interinstitutional negotiations, which are ongoing. After a landmark agreement on normalising relations (the ‘Brussels Agreement’) was reached in April 2013 by Belgrade and Pristina, the European Council decided to open negotiations on an SAA with Kosovo in June 2013. The SAA entered into force on 1 April 2016. Kosovo’s future EU integration — like Serbia’s — remains closely linked to the EU-facilitated high-level dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, which should lead to a legally binding comprehensive agreement on the normalisation of their relations.

See more on our <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/eu-kosovo-8th-legislative-term_16303_pk">previous package</a> on the 8th legislative term.

EU - Kosovo (2019-2020)

David SASSOLI, EP President meets with Miroslav LAJCAK, EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina

David SASSOLI, EP President meets with Matteo MECACCI, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights

AFET Committee - Exchange of views with Peter Lord BOWNESS, President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly

Antonio Tajani ,a President of the European Parliament attend at the EU Convent at Hotel Metropol palace in Belgrade on January ,31.2018.PHOTO /EU

Official visit of the President of the European Parliament to Serbia.Bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, Ms Ana BRNABIC

Official visit of the President of the European Parliament to Serbia.Public adress to EU Convention

Official visit of the President of the European Parliament to the Western Balkans

President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz addresses the Serbian parliament in Belgrade, Serbia on Wednesday, July 15, 2015. Schulz arrived from Tirana on a two day visit to Serbia before he continues to Sarajevo.

President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz (R) talks to ombudsman Sasa Jankovic (L) in Belgrade, Serbia on Wednesday, July 15, 2015. Schulz arrived from Tirana on a two day visit to Serbia before he continues to Sarajevo.

President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz (L) talks during meeting with Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic (R) in Belgrade, Serbia on Wednesday, July 15, 2015.

President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz (L) talks during press conference with the Serbian Prime minister Aleksandar Vucic (R) in Belgrade, Serbia on Wednesday, July 15, 2015.

President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz (L) shakes hand with leader of the Democratic Party Bojan Pajtic (R) prior to their meeting in Belgrade, Serbia on Wednesday, July 15, 2015. Schulz arrived from Tirana on a two day visit to Serbia before he continues to Sarajevo.

Handshake between Martin Schulz, President of European Parliament, on the left, and Boris TADIC, former Serbian President.

Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament, on the left in the center, during meeting with civil society representatives.

Official visit of the President of the European Parliament to the Western Balkans. Meeting between Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament, on the right, and Maja Goikovic, Speaker of the Serbian Parliament, on the left.

Official visit to Serbia

Grace Stanislav HOCEVAR, Hans Gert POETTERING, Ingo FRIEDRICH

EP President and meet with the Archbishop of Belgrade, in Strasbourg

EP President meets with the President Emeritus and Vice-President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly

MEPs debate Kosovo’s work to secure candidate country status and urge Serbia and Kosovo to engage in the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue to make progress on this. Closing statements by Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement and by Viola VON CRAMON-TAUBADEL (Greens/EFA,DE), Rapporteur.

2022 Report on Kosovo: closing statements by Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement and by Viola VON CRAMON-TAUBADEL (Greens/EFA,DE), Rapporteur

MEPs debate Kosovo’s work to secure candidate country status and urge Serbia and Kosovo to engage in the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue to make progress on this.

2022 Report on Kosovo: MEPs debate

MEPs debate Kosovo’s work to secure candidate country status and urge Serbia and Kosovo to engage in the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue to make progress on this. Opening statements by Viola VON CRAMON-TAUBADEL (Greens/EFA, DE), Rapporteur and by Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement.

2022 Report on Kosovo: opening statements by Viola VON CRAMON-TAUBADEL (Greens/EFA, DE), Rapporteur and by Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement

Members of the EP Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) and Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) hold an exchange of views on the migratory pressure on the Lithuanian border with Belarus in the European Parliament in Brussels with Ylva JOHANSSON, Commissioner for Home Affairs, Agnė BILOTAITĖ, Minister of Interior of Lithuania, Luc DEVIGNE, Deputy Managing Director for Russia, Eastern Partnership, Central Asia, Regional cooperation and OSCE, European External Action Service and Fabrice LEGGERI, Executive Director FRONTEX.

Migratory pressure on the Lithuanian border with Belarus in LIBE/AFET Committees: introductory remarks by the Chairs

David SASSOLI, EP President meets with Miroslav LAJCAK, EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina in the European Parliament in Brussels: arrival, welcome; and roundtable

David SASSOLI, EP President meets with Miroslav LAJCAK, EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina: arrival, welcome; and roundtable

David SASSOLI, EP President meets with Matteo MECACCI, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights in the European Parliament in Brussels: welcome and roundtable

David SASSOLI, EP President meets with Matteo MECACCI, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights: welcome and roundtable

The Audiovisual Service of the European Commission has produced a series of new video stockshots with illustrative images of the capitals and countryside of the Western Balkans: Serbia. This infoclip shows images from Serbia. Please note, the footage from the Nicola Tesla Museum, Belgrade, has been filmed with courtesy of the museum. It may only be used for EU-related, NON-COMMERCIAL information and education purposes.

Infoclip: Serbia

Antonio TAJANI, EP President visits Serbia and meets with Maja GOJKOVIC, Speaker of the Serbian National Assembly. He gives a press point, and meets with Ana BRNABIC, Serbian Prime Minister.

Official visit by Antonio TAJANI, EP President to Serbia: meeting with Maja GOJKOVIC, Speaker of the Serbian National Assembly, extracts from the press point

Antonio TAJANI, EP President, visits Serbia and meets with Aleksandar VUCIC, President of Serbia. He gives a press point and makes a speech at the business event on Investment, Growth and Job creation.

Official visit by Antonio TAJANI, EP President to Serbia: meeting with Aleksandar VUCIC, President of Serbia, extracts from the press point and extracts from the business event on Investment, Growth and Job creation

On July 16th, 2015, Martin SCHULZ, EP President, is in Sarajevo, for the second day of an official visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina. He meets with Denis ZVIDIC, Chair of the Council of Minister,&nbsp; with Igor CRNADAK, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and gives a press conference

Official visit by Martin SCHULZ, EP President, to Bosnia & Herzegovina: meetings with Denis ZVIDIC, Chair of the Council of Minister, with Igor CRNADAK, Minister of Foreign Affairs and  extracts from the press conference

On July 15th, 2015,&nbsp;Martin SCHULZ, EP President,&nbsp;is in Belgrade for the second day of his official visit in&nbsp;Serbia. He&nbsp;meets Tomislav NIKOLIC, President of the Republic of Serbia, and gives an address to the Serbian Parliament.

Official visit by Martin SCHULZ, EP President to Serbia: meeting with Tomislav NIKOLIC, President of the Republic of Serbia  and address to the Serbian Parliament

On July 15th, 2015, Martin SCHULZ, EP President, is in&nbsp;Belgrade for&nbsp;the second day of an official visit to Serbia. He meets Aleksandar VUCIC, Serbian Prime Minister. Extracts from joint press point.

Official visit by Martin SCHULZ, EP President, to Serbia: meeting with Aleksandar VUCIC, Serbian Prime Minister, and extracts from joint press point

On July 14th 2015,&nbsp;Martin SCHULZ, EP President, is in Belgrade for the first day of&nbsp;an official visit to Serbia. He meets&nbsp;Maja GOJKOVIC, Speaker of the Serbian Parliament.

Official visit by Martin SCHULZ, EP President, to Serbia:  meeting with Maja GOJKOVIC, Speaker of the Serbian Parliament

MEPs from the temporary committee on organised crime complete their first fact-finding visit to Belgrade.

Serbian crime under scrutiny

This infoclip illustrates some of the countries in the Western Balkans

Showing 15 videos results for ""

2022 Report on Kosovo: closing statements by Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement and by Viola VON CRAMON-TAUBADEL (Greens/EFA,DE), Rapporteur

2022 Report on Kosovo: MEPs debate

2022 Report on Kosovo: opening statements by Viola VON CRAMON-TAUBADEL (Greens/EFA, DE), Rapporteur and by Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement

Migratory pressure on the Lithuanian border with Belarus in LIBE/AFET Committees: introductory remarks by the Chairs

David SASSOLI, EP President meets with Miroslav LAJCAK, EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina: arrival, welcome; and roundtable

David SASSOLI, EP President meets with Matteo MECACCI, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights: welcome and roundtable

Infoclip: Serbia

Official visit by Antonio TAJANI, EP President to Serbia: meeting with Maja GOJKOVIC, Speaker of the Serbian National Assembly, extracts from the press point

Official visit by Antonio TAJANI, EP President to Serbia: meeting with Aleksandar VUCIC, President of Serbia, extracts from the press point and extracts from the business event on Investment, Growth and Job creation

Official visit by Martin SCHULZ, EP President, to Bosnia & Herzegovina: meetings with Denis ZVIDIC, Chair of the Council of Minister, with Igor CRNADAK, Minister of Foreign Affairs and extracts from the press conference

Official visit by Martin SCHULZ, EP President to Serbia: meeting with Tomislav NIKOLIC, President of the Republic of Serbia and address to the Serbian Parliament

Official visit by Martin SCHULZ, EP President, to Serbia: meeting with Aleksandar VUCIC, Serbian Prime Minister, and extracts from joint press point

Official visit by Martin SCHULZ, EP President, to Serbia: meeting with Maja GOJKOVIC, Speaker of the Serbian Parliament

Serbian crime under scrutiny

Infoclip: The Balkans