Proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and of Kosovo, of the other part

In June 2013, the Council authorised the Commission to open negotiations with Kosovo on an EU-only Stabilisation and Association Agreement and adopted negotiating directives. There were three formal rounds of negotiations. The first round was held on 28 October 2013, the second on 27 November 2013 and the third on 2 May 2014. The chief negotiators initialled the draft text of the agreement on 25 July 2014.

This proposal is the result of extensive negotiations between the Union, on one side, and Kosovo, on the other. The Stabilisation and Association Agreement with Kosovo provides for wide-ranging cooperation. It provides for a framework for political dialogue with Kosovo, both at a bilateral and regional level. The agreement promotes regional cooperation and Kosovo makes a strong commitment in the agreement to the normalisation of relations with Serbia.

The deepening of economic and trade relations is one of the main goals of the agreement. The agreement sets out the perspective of establishing a free trade area covering goods and services, consistent with the relevant WTO principles, after a transitional period in specific areas. The length of the transitional period was established during the negotiations in light of the state of preparation of Kosovo.

The agreement also includes provisions on establishment, supply of services, current payments and movement of capital. It includes the commitment by Kosovo to progressively harmonise its legislation with that of the EU, notably in key areas of the internal market. It establishes relations covering almost all areas of EU interest and provides a basis for wide-ranging cooperation. Overall, the cooperation is underpinned by EU financial and technical assistance, which provides Kosovo with the necessary support and assistance in the implementation of certain aspects of the agreement.

• Primary Source

EUR-Lex: COM(2015)181: Follow the progress of this proposal through the decision-making procedure http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/HIS/?uri=COM:2015:181:FIN

EUR-Lex: COM(2015)182: Recommendation for a Council Decision approving the conclusion, by the European Commission, on behalf of the European Atomic Energy Community, of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and of Kosovo, of the other part http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=COM:2015:182:FIN

EUR-Lex: COM(2015)183: Proposal for a Council Decision on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and of Kosovo, of the other part http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=COM:2015:183:FIN

ESO: Background information: Main challenges to be addressed to ensure Kosovo and the EU grow closer together http://www.europeansources.info/record/speech-main-challenges-to-be-addressed-to-ensure-kosovo-and-the-eu-grow-closer-together/

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