The country, inhabited by a majority of Albanians, submitted its application for membership at a sensitive time. He is supported by Austria.
Brussels. Kosovo is still not recognized as a sovereign state by all EU countries. Five countries have denied this to the leadership in Pristina. Nevertheless, Prime Minister Albin Kurti is pushing into the EU. This week he handed over an application for membership to the Czech Presidency. Since the conflict over the Serbian minority with Belgrade is coming to a head, the application is also interpreted as an attempt to seek protection in the EU.
The Serbian leadership under President Aleksandar Vučić has asked the NATO-led KFOR peacekeeping force for permission to send 1,000 armed police officers to Kosovo. He does not expect a positive answer, said Vučić. According to observers, the request is primarily intended to make clear that Serbia is prepared to defend its compatriots in Kosovo, if necessary by force of arms. Recently, tensions between the two ethnic groups had increased.
Austria supports Kosovo’s application, which could only lead to EU membership in a few years. Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP) assured Kosovo of help on this path. “A credible EU perspective for the Western Balkans is one of the driving forces for stability and prosperity in the region.”
Bosnia-Herzegovina is one step further. EU leaders gave the country candidate status on Thursday. Financial help is associated with it. (wb)