The European Union Ambassador to Kosovo, Aivo Orav, has called on parliamentary parties to come together beyond their differences to form new institutions. He emphasized the need to create a strong parliamentary majority in the Assembly, as he said, beyond political and ethnic divides, to ensure the ratification of the EU Growth Plan for Kosovo, the implementation of reforms, and the fulfillment of obligations within the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue.
Orav, at a press conference together with the outgoing Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, after presenting the European Union’s Report on Kosovo, said that the EU needs a fully empowered government in Kosovo to cooperate effectively.
“To help you achieve progress on the path toward European integration, we need partners. We need to have a government and cooperate with it. A government based on a strong majority in the Assembly, capable of advancing fundamental freedoms for the benefit of the citizens of Kosovo. In this regard, unfortunately, this year is a lost year. In 2024, you were leading on the reform agenda, close to receiving the first disbursement under the Growth Plan. You were moving forward with legislation for SEPA to be part of the European Single Payment Area. You were working to make progress on judicial reform, combating corruption, and organized crime. Here we are today. What I want to say is that the political elite in Kosovo must unite beyond political and ethnic divisions and form a strong majority capable of ensuring the ratification of the Growth Plan and fulfilling obligations within the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue. Without this, other opportunities will be lost. The will to build coalition and compromise is key,” he said.
While presenting the Report on Kosovo, Orav noted that Kosovo has made progress in six areas, but stressed that many reforms remain incomplete.
He also mentioned attacks on journalists and the offensive language used by politicians toward the media.
“Going into the details of the Kosovo report, it shows that when there is focus and determination, progress comes. Kosovo has advanced in six areas of readiness: the functioning of the judiciary, capacity to deal with competitive pressures in the market, social development, employment policies, transport policies, food security, and foreign relations. General elections conducted under the revised electoral framework were another step forward. Progress has been made in justice reform, draft laws prepared in consultation with the Venice Commission… Many reforms remain incomplete. More work is needed to ensure a credible fight against corruption, a more efficient public administration, and a competitive economy. These are not just EU demands, but the foundation of a prosperous society. Freedom of expression needs to improve, as does the legislative framework, the Law on RTK, and the Law on KPM. The media environment faces transparency challenges. The report also highlights attacks on journalists and the use of offensive language, including by politicians toward the media,” Orav added.
Regarding the removal of restrictive measures against Kosovo, Orav said the European Commission aims to lift them based on the regular transfer of power in the north following the local elections on October 12.
“The European Commission has taken initial steps to gradually lift these measures. Further steps remain conditional on sustained de-escalation in the north. The Commission aims to lift these measures further based on the regular transfer of power in the north, once this happens. After local elections, de-escalation should happen in a sustainable manner,” he stressed.
Separately, Orav was asked about the wounding and abduction of a person within Kosovo territory by the Serbian gendarmerie. He said they are trying to gather information and are in contact with Kosovo authorities.
“It’s not that something happens and the EU immediately issues a statement. We try to gather information about what happened and who is the responsible party. We are in contact with the authorities here, and if there is any problem, then in diplomacy we try to resolve the issue. But let’s wait a bit, as it is too early,” he emphasized.
The Kosovo Police claim that the individual was injured and abducted by the Serbian Gendarmerie.
According to the announcement, on November 1, 2025, the Kosovo Police received information that in the Leposavić area, a person (M. V.), a citizen of the Republic of Kosovo (of Serbian nationality), is suspected to have been injured and abducted within the territory of the Republic of Kosovo by the Serbian gendarmerie.
