The approval of the report on the enlargement strategy by the European Parliament has been assessed as an important signal for aspiring countries, including Kosovo. Members of the European Parliament emphasized that the enlargement of the European Union constitutes a strategic response to new geopolitical developments and an investment in the security and stability of the union.

Experts on the European integration process in Kosovo say the report confirms that enlargement has already become a geopolitical priority for the EU, but stress that Kosovo’s progress on this path remains closely linked to the dialogue with Serbia.

The executive director of the Group for Legal and Political Studies, Njomza Arifi, assesses that under the current security circumstances in Europe, the enlargement process is no longer seen only as part of the EU’s foreign policy, but as a strategic necessity for the stability of the continent.

She told KosovaPress that the approved report also mentions the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia as an important element for the path toward European integration.

According to her, the European Union has made it clear that it does not want to accept into its ranks states that carry unresolved disputes with each other; therefore, progress in the dialogue will directly reflect on the advancement of both countries toward the EU.

On the other hand, European integration expert Adrian Zeqiri says that the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia remains one of the main conditions for progress in the integration process.

He emphasizes that the lack of progress in this process also means stagnation on Kosovo’s European path.

According to him, the report reflects the current reality, assessing that the dialogue has stagnated and that without progress in this direction it is difficult to expect major steps toward integration into the European Union.

Meanwhile, GLPS researcher Arifi assesses that the internal political situation in Kosovo has also contributed to slowing down reforms related to the integration process.

She stresses that the country is now entering the second year of a political crisis and that the stagnation during 2025 has affected the lack of progress both in the dialogue and in the implementation of reforms necessary for the path toward the European Union.

Members of the European Parliament further emphasized that EU membership for the countries of the region must remain merit-based and that no country should be treated as part of a package.

The report also stresses that alignment with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy is a key prerequisite for candidate countries seeking EU membership.