[2][3] Independence has not been recognised by Serbia, or five out of 27 EU member states, and as a result the European Union itself refers only to "Kosovo", with an asterisked footnote containing the text agreed to by the Belgrade–Pristina negotiations: "This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence.

To ensure stability at the territory and neutral rule of law enforcement, the EU is operating in Kosovo under the umbrella of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), deploying police and civilian resources under the European Union Rule of Law Mission (EULEX).

[5] On 6 February 2018, the European Commission published its expansion plan[6] to cover up to six Western Balkan countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia.

[10] In October 2010, an envoy of the European Parliament suggested that lack of recognition by some countries would not be an obstacle to Kosovo joining the Schengen area's visa-free regime.

[12] Some European officials, including former German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel, have said that they expect Serbia to recognize Kosovo before it joins the EU.

[13][14] In April 2023, Cyprus, Hungary, Romania and Spain, voted against approving Kosovo's membership for the Council of Europe,[15] while Greece and Slovakia abstained.

[26] A Stabilisation Tracking Mechanism (STM), established for Kosovo on 6 November 2002, is an association process specially devised to promote policy dialogue between the EU and the Kosovan authorities on EU approximation matters, since it was not able to commence with the Stabilisation and Association Process due to its disputed status.

In addition, in March 2007, a new structure of sectoral meetings under the umbrella of the STM was established in the areas of: good governance, economy, internal market, innovation and infrastructure.

As confirmed by the Thessaloniki Summit in June 2003, Kosovo is firmly anchored in the framework of the Stabilisation and Association Process (SAP), the EU policy which applies to the Western Balkans which is designed to prepare potential candidates for membership.

In addition, in March 2007 a new structure of sectoral meetings under the umbrella of the STM was established in the areas of: good governance, economy, internal market, innovation and infrastructure.

[28] In October 2009, the European Commission noted in its annual report on the progress of the candidates and potential candidates for EU accession that Kosovo faced major challenges including ensuring the rule of law, the fight against corruption and organised crime, the strengthening of administrative capacity, and the protection of the Serb and other minorities.

[35] On 3 March 2022 a resolution was passed by Kosovo's Parliament requesting that the government "take all necessary steps to join NATO, European Union, Council of Europe and other international organizations".

[36] In June 2022, Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti stated that he planned to formally submit an application for membership by the end of the year.

It found that there were no legal obstacles to this, as full sovereignty is not required for such an agreement, and recommended that negotiations start as soon as Kosovo had made further progress in the four areas: Rule of law, Public administration, Protection of minorities, and Trade.

[43] On 19 April 2013, the governments of Kosovo and Serbia completed an agreement[44] that was hailed as a major step towards normalising relations as well as facilitating progress towards EU membership for both countries.

"[44] Though it does not amount to a recognition of Kosovo's independence by Belgrade,[45] EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton was quoted as saying, "What we are seeing is a step away from the past and, for both of them, a step closer to Europe", whilst Thaçi declared "This agreement will help us heal the wounds of the past if we have the wisdom and the knowledge to implement it in practice.

It is unclear how Kosovo's unilateral use of the euro will impact its aspirations for further integration into the EU, which requires that states meet several convergence criteria prior to being allowed to join the eurozone.

[72] A statement attached to Montenegro's Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU read: "unilateral introduction of the euro was not compatible with the Treaty.

[72] The ECB has stated that the implications of unilateral euro adoption "would be spelled out at the latest in the event of possible negotiations on EU accession.

[81] A Commission report from July 2018 concluded that Kosovo had met all of the conditions required of it for visa free access to the Schengen area.

[86] On 9 March, the proposal were unanimously approved by the Council of the EU with all member states present, including the five which have not formally recognised Kosovo's independence, voting in favour.

[87] On 23 March 2023, the Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee of the European Parliament supported the visa liberalisation proposal with 47 in votes in favour, 8 against, and 4 abstaining.

[88] The proposed regulation to enact the visa liberalization plan was approved at a plenary session of the parliament on 18 April 2023 and was published in the Official Journal the following day.