This Policy Analysis aims to identify  and analyze Kosovo’s  progress relating to short-term benchmarks highlighted in the 2012 European Commission’s Feasibility Study for Kosovo released in early October as well as those additional benchmarks issued in 2012 Council Conclusion on Enlargement and SAA process released in early December. These benchmarks require short term reforms and implementation in preparation for the start of SAA (Stabilisation and Association Agreement) negotiations between the Commission and Kosovo’s Negotiation Team.While the purpose of this Policy Analysis is to support the completion of the short-term benchmarks that Kosovo must achieve for the Commission to win a mandate to begin SAA negotiations with Kosovo, these short-term benchmarks are only a stepping stone on Kosovo’s path towards singing an SAA with the European Union. As such,in order to ensure Kosovo’s long term success in negotiating a Stabilization and Association Agreement, we also take into account the long term reforms called by the Commission and Council and the impact that current patterns of reform, preparatory work, and implementation (resulting from efforts to achieve short term benchmarks) may have on Kosovo’s ability to achieve the long term benchmarks.