Ahead of the upcoming High-Level Conference on the Western Balkans on 24th May in Ljubljana, the Balkan Civil Society Development Network (BCSDN) urges the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) to reconsider the exclusion of Kosovo from the recently established and earnestly welcomed Enlargement Candidate Members Initiative (ECM).
While the EESC has pioneered gradual integration of prospective EU members, Kosovo has been excluded due to its lack of formal candidate status.
This exclusion contradicts the EU’s ongoing support for the Western Balkans, including Kosovo, and overlooks Kosovo’s commitment to EU-aligned reforms. By excluding Kosovo, the EESC undermines its own commitments to inclusivity and regional cooperation. BCSDN calls on the EESC to rectify this oversight and extend eligibility to Kosovo within the current pilot phase, fostering greater collaboration and inclusivity in the journey towards European integration.