The prospect of Kosovo in the European Union: Optimism and challenges

This article explains the prospect of Kosovo in the EU, and the challenges that Kosovo is facing during this process. Kosovo is the last country in the Western Balkans, which is in the early stage of the accession process, respectively Stabilization and Association Process. This process was not an easy one for Kosovo. The optimism of Kosovo in being part of the EU brought many challenges, which initially were related to the unresolved political status of the country. Kosovo was deprived for a long period from the Stabilization and Association Process and its agreement. With the declaration of independence, on February 17th, 2008, and the refusal of five EU member states to recognize the independence, Kosovo continues to hamper the normal development of Kosovo in the European integration process. This paper analyzes the challenges that Kosovo has faced in the past related to this process, and its future challenges in the process of EU membership. This article also treats the issue of the footnote, used as a reference to Kosovo by the European Union. This fact is evidence that EU member states have an irreplaceable role within the Union, regarding the recognition of new states and their acceptance in the accession process. The EU as a “supranational organization” since its creation is being developed and changed, and the events, which have occurred recently, such as the failure to adopt the EU constitution, the referendum held for the exit of the UK from the European Union, are signals for the need for necessary changes in the reformation of the EU. The signing of the SAA with specific conditions, does not guarantee that the process of obtaining the status of candidate for EU membership will pass without difficulties, due to the refusal of the recognition of the independence of Kosovo by five member states. Main challenges are the internal reforms and their implementation