Kaja Kallas commends Kosovo for progress on Foreigners Law and Civil Registration Agreement

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas welcomed an important practical step forward in Kosovo on Friday, praising an agreement reached between Pristina and the EU Special Representative that eases the implementation of the Law on Foreigners while safeguarding access to public services for vulnerable communities.

In a statement posted on X, Kallas described the 14 March deal as “an important step forward for the benefit of all people in Kosovo.” She highlighted that the agreement ensures continuity in the provision of essential public services and creates positive momentum for the long-stalled Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue.

The compromise, brokered after intensive talks between Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti and EU envoy Peter Sørensen, addresses concerns raised by the Kosovo Serb population in northern municipalities over the Law on Foreigners (also known as the Law on Foreign Nationals). Adopted by the Kosovo Assembly in recent years, the legislation requires foreign nationals – including many Serbs who rely on Serbian-issued documents – to obtain Kosovo residence permits for extended stays, work, family reunification or other purposes.

Without transitional measures, full enforcement could have disrupted access to healthcare, education, pensions and civil registration for thousands of residents in Mitrovica North, Zvečan, Zubin Potok and Leposavić who hold only Serbian IDs. The new arrangement provides a 12-month temporary residence permit (with the possibility of extension) for Kosovo Serbs without Kosovo identification documents. During this period, Serbian-issued ID cards may continue to be used for identification purposes, avoiding immediate exclusion from services.

Kallas emphasized the broader significance: “Moving forward, the implementation of past agreements remains vital. This progress creates new momentum for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and I look forward to organizing a high-level meeting soon.” She thanked the parties involved and reiterated the EU’s commitment to facilitating dialogue under her leadership.

The development comes at a delicate moment for Kosovo’s European path. While the country has made strides in areas such as visa liberalization (achieved in 2024) and regional cooperation, unresolved issues in the north – particularly parallel institutions and freedom of movement-continue to complicate relations with Serbia and slow progress toward EU candidacy status.

Analysts view the agreement as a pragmatic de-escalation measure that prevents a new crisis in the north ahead of spring political calendars in both Pristina and Belgrade. By offering breathing space for implementation, it reduces the risk of protests or service disruptions while maintaining the legal framework Kosovo has sought to strengthen its statehood and sovereignty.

The High Representative has indicated she intends to convene a high-level meeting in the coming weeks, suggesting that Friday’s breakthrough could serve as a foundation for renewed diplomatic engagement.

Meanwhile, Kosovo remains mired in a deepening institutional deadlock that has paralyzed key constitutional processes and raised fears of prolonged instability in Europe’s youngest nation. The crisis stems from the Assembly’s failure on 5 March to elect a successor to outgoing President Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu before her term expires on 4 April. The uncertainty risks delaying reforms, weakening Kosovo’s EU accession efforts, and exacerbating tensions in the north amid ongoing Belgrade-Pristina dialogue challenges.

Kosovo’s institutional crisis continues: a vicious circle

Caption: EU High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas speaks during a press briefing at the University of Zurich, in Zurich, Switzerland, 5 March 2026, where she delivered a Churchill Lecture at the EuropaInstitut. EPA/MICHAEL BUHOLZER