The European Commission and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy published a report that recommends to EU member states that negotiations be opened with Serbia on EU accession, and with Kosovo on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU. This recommendations is based, among other things, on the historic agreement reached by Serbia and Kosovo in the EU-facilitated dialogue.

In a report jointly published with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the European Commission recommends to EU member states that negotiations be opened with Serbia on EU accession, and with Kosovo on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU. In addition, the Commission adopted a proposal that would allow Kosovo to participate in EU programmes. If the Council agrees, and once the agreement is signed by both sides, Kosovo would be able to participate in 22 EU programmes. In February 2013, another Commission's report showed that Kosovo’s current capacity to fight organised crime and corruption remains limited.

The report on Serbia underlines that Serbia has met the key priority of taking steps towards a visible and sustainable improvement of relations with Kosovo. The Commission also stressed that Serbia has actively and constructively engaged in the EU-facilitated dialogue with Pristina. The report also points out the efforts made by Serbia to reinvigorate reforms on the rule of law, the independence of key institutions, media freedom, anti-discrimination policy, protection of minorities and business environment, as well as to the country’s positive contribution to regional cooperation.

The report on Kosovo highlights that Kosovo has delivered on a set of short-term priorities of last year's feasibility study in the fields of rule of law, public administration, protection of minorities and trade. The Commission therefore recommends the opening of the negotiations for a Stabilisation and Association Agreement. Such an agreement would be an important step for Kosovo on its path towards the EU: a key element of the enlargement process, it liberalises trade with the EU and establishes common political and economic goals.