Kosovo has been officially included in the Enlargement Candidate Member Initiative (ECMI) of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), marking a historic moment in the country's European integration process.
This initiative, which was formalized in 2023, had excluded Kosovo due to its lack of candidate country status for membership in the European Union. However, thanks to the continuous efforts of the Kosovo Civil Society Foundation (KCSF), through the Balkan Civil Society Development Network (BCSDN) and with the support of the EESC President, Mr. Oliver Röpke, Kosovo has now become part of this important European platform.
As part of this initiative, KCSF has led a regional advocacy campaign, supported by 104 civil society organizations from across the Balkans, demanding Kosovo's inclusion in the ECMI.
According to KCSF, this is a great achievement of Kosovar and regional civil society, which shows that solidarity and cooperation across borders can produce concrete changes.
"Kosovo's inclusion in the ECMI is the result of a multi-year joint effort to ensure that the voice of civil society is heard in European integration processes. This constitutes a victory for Kosovo and for equality in the region," the KCSF response states.
What is EESC and ECMI?
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is an advisory body of the European Union established in 1957, which represents the voice of civil society and social partners in EU policy-making processes. With 329 members from 27 Member States, the EESC plays a crucial role in advising the EU institutions and promoting dialogue with European citizens.
In September 2023, the EESC launched the Enlargement Candidate Member Initiative (ECMI), which includes representatives of civil society organisations and social partners from EU candidate countries, with the aim of preparing them for full integration into the Union.
The path towards Kosovo's inclusion
Kosovo was initially left out of the ECMI due to its lack of formal candidate country status.
In April 2024, KCSF launched a reaction and advocacy campaign at the EESC, arguing that Kosovo's non-inclusion was contrary to the principles of equality and inclusion that the European Union itself promotes.
In May 2024, representatives of the KCSF and Kosovar civil society held a meeting with the leaders of the EESC in Brussels, where they requested a correction of this decision. This request was repeated during the High-Level Conference on Civil Society, held in October of the same year.
In November 2024, BCSDN, with the support of over 100 civil society organizations from the Balkans, submitted an official letter to the EESC requesting Kosovo's inclusion in the ECMI – a request that has now been fulfilled.
The importance of this development
KCSF assesses that this decision represents a major step towards Kosovo's European integration, enabling the country's civil society to be an active part of EU policy-making processes.
This development also strengthens regional cooperation, promotes the values of equality and solidarity, and brings Kosovo closer to the formal structures of the European Union.
"This is a small step in form, but of great significance for Kosovo's inclusion in the Europe of values and cooperation," the KCSF statement concludes. /Telegraph/
