French President Macron declared from Tirana, alongside Prime Minister Edi Rama, that Kosovo's visa liberalization process has been suspended. The visa liberalization process was expected to take place in January 2024. Referring to the conflicts in its north in recent months and Prime Minister Albin Kurti's approaches, Kosovo was warned by the EU.

This was confirmed by Macron himself, who clearly said that the blocking of the visa liberalization process will continue until Kosovo fulfils its conditions, including the association with Serbian municipalities. 

"As you know, we closely follow the tensions that exist between Pristina and Belgrade. France and Germany have made a guide, and we are waiting for an answer, it is (Serbian President Aleksandar) Vucic's responsibility to condemn the attack that brings peace to the north. What we expect from the Serbian and Kosovar authorities is the reorganization of the elections in the municipalities where they were held in unsuitable conditions, the participation of Serbs in the elections, recognition of the association by the Kosovar authorities. I expect Mr. Vucic to be responsible. I also expect it from the president and the prime minister of Kosovo. We trusted them on the issue of visas and it was suspended by France because it has to do with respecting the word given and the word has not been kept. I expect both parties to commit to move forward in the coming weeks, it is the condition of peace in the entire area," said Macron. 

We remind you that the punitive measures against Kosovo include the temporary suspension of the work of the bodies created on the basis of the Stabilization and Association Agreement, not inviting it to high-level meetings and the suspension of bilateral visits, except for those that focus on addressing the crisis in the north, within the framework of the dialogue facilitated by the EU. Also, the funding program for Kosovo from IPA 2024 is suspended.