As of July 1, Denmark has assumed the six-month presidency of the Council of the European Union. The caretaker government of Kosovo expects that during Denmark’s presidency in the second half of 2025, the country’s European integration path will advance. Furthermore, calls continue for the EU to review Kosovo’s application for membership in the bloc, while emphasizing the need for the complete removal of punitive measures against Kosovo during this period.
KosovaPress also sent inquiries to the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Danish Embassy in Pristina regarding the priorities of Denmark’s EU presidency, but no response was received.
On the other hand, experts in European integration are skeptical that there will be positive movement regarding Kosovo’s EU path in the second half of 2025.
Klisman Kadiu, adviser to the acting Deputy Prime Minister Besnik Bislimi, told KosovaPress that they are ready for close and effective cooperation with Denmark for a presidency that will advance not only Kosovo’s European integration path but also bilateral relations between the two countries.
Kosovo is currently under a caretaker government and has yet to form a new parliament and government following the February 9 elections.
“Kosovo welcomes Denmark’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which follows the presidency of another friendly and partner country, Poland. We express our willingness and readiness for close and effective cooperation for a presidency that, we hope, will advance not only our country’s path to EU integration but also the relations between our two countries. Our country has a clear and unequivocal strategic orientation for EU membership, as part of the countries that aspire to join the European family through a merit-based enlargement process,” he told KosovaPress.
He added that Kosovo submitted its application for EU membership in 2022 and that the process no longer depends on domestic institutions. According to him, through advancing and implementing reforms, Kosovo has proven it deserves the acceptance of the questionnaire and the granting of candidate country status.
Speaking about the EU’s punitive measures, he said that they have begun to be lifted gradually, but stressed that they should be removed entirely.
“We have taken our step by applying for membership. But this is not a unilateral process that depends only on Kosovo. The European Union must now review our application and give it serious consideration. Through further reform implementation, Kosovo has demonstrated it deserves the acceptance of the questionnaire and the granting of candidate status. As for the measures, their gradual removal has begun, with the resumption of SAA subcommittee meetings with Kosovo and technical assistance projects through the WBIF. The measures were unjustly imposed and have unjustly remained in effect for a long time. Their gradual removal must pave the way for their full and prompt lifting,” Kadiu added.
However, European integration analyst Magbule Shkodra is more skeptical about progress in Kosovo’s EU path during Denmark’s presidency.
She told KosovaPress that although Denmark is a friendly state to Kosovo, it does not have the authority to decide on Kosovo’s candidate status or the lifting of sanctions, as such decisions require consensus among all 27 EU member states.
“Denmark has always had a supportive stance toward Kosovo, and I believe it will continue to do so… However, I don’t see Denmark as an obstacle since it will support us. No one can support you if you don’t support yourself… The lifting of all measures requires consensus among the EU member states and simultaneously demands action from Kosovo in fulfilling its obligations. What we’re seeing is not just inaction, but complete stagnation, as we’ve been blocked since February 9, when elections were held, until now. We are delayed in forming the parliament and executive institutions,” she said.
Poland held the EU Council presidency during the first half of 2025. During that period, there was no positive movement regarding Kosovo’s application for candidate country status in the EU.
However, in May, Kosovo received news of the gradual lifting of the punitive measures imposed in 2023 due to the situation in the north of the country.
