On 12 June 2026, the European Parliament published an amendment (A10-0166/3) from the Patriots for Europe (PfE) Group that fundamentally challenges the pro-accession tone of the draft report on Kosovo. The amendment, submitted by MEPs Matthieu Valet, Pierre-Romain Thionnet, and Julie Rechagneux, seeks to halt the EU's gradual integration process for Kosovo and reframe the debate around sovereignty and conditionality.
The amendment targets two key provisions of the draft report by rapporteur Riho Terras. First, it replaces the original text affirming Kosovo's future in the EU with a categorical statement that Kosovo does not meet membership standards due to corruption and organised crime, arguing that the EU's gradual integration process undermines the interests of European citizens. Second, it reframes the call on the five non-recognising EU member states to move forward with Kosovo's membership application, instead defending their right to recognise or not recognise a state as a fundamental element of sovereignty and rejecting any EU pressure on these states.
Policy orientations and trade-offs The PfE Group's position represents a clear divergence from the mainstream pro-Kosovo consensus in the European Parliament. While the original report sees obstacles such as corruption and non-recognition as challenges to be overcome through integration, the PfE Group views them as disqualifying factors that should halt the process entirely. The trade-off is between maintaining EU enlargement as a transformative tool for the Western Balkans versus prioritising internal EU sovereignty and strict conditionality, potentially freezing Kosovo's European perspective.
Impact on stakeholders - EU institutions: The amendment, if adopted, would weaken the European Parliament's unified stance on Kosovo enlargement, reducing its leverage in pushing for a common EU position on recognition. - Kosovo authorities: A rejection of the membership path would be a major setback, removing the incentive for reforms and potentially destabilising the country's pro-European orientation. - Five non-recognising EU member states (Cyprus, Greece, Romania, Slovakia, Spain): The amendment shields them from EU pressure, allowing them to maintain their current positions without diplomatic cost. - EU taxpayers: The amendment argues that integration of Kosovo would undermine their interests, though the direct financial impact is unclear.
Expected institutional follow-up The amendment will be considered in the European Parliament's plenary session as part of the report on Kosovo. The final vote will determine whether the Parliament maintains its pro-accession stance or shifts toward a more sceptical position. The Council and Commission will monitor the outcome, which could influence the pace of EU-Kosovo relations and the broader enlargement process in the Western Balkans.
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