BRUSSELS – European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said on Monday that amendments to the Law on the Kosovo Specialist Chambers, based The Hague, violate Kosovo’s commitments to the EU, describing the move as unacceptable.
“I would also like to be clear that amending the law on the Kosovo Specialist Chambers goes against Kosovo’s fundamental commitments to the EU. This is unacceptable. Changing the rules while judicial proceedings are ongoing defies all internationally established rule of law standards”, Kos said ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg.
She stressed that security is becoming increasingly important in the enlargement process and that the EU cannot afford to admit countries that would not contribute to maintaining security.
Kos also emphasised the growing importance of strategic alignment with the EU. She added that respect for international law is essential for peace and security, particularly in the Western Balkans.
“Following the death of a war criminal, we have seen nationalist tendencies re-emerge, and we have seen in the past what can happen such tendencies prevail”, Kos said.
She concluded that EU enlargement is moving forward, but candidate countries that are backsliding are not on the right track and will not be able to join the EU.
