Serbia, Kosovo to normalise relations

Belgium, (Brussels Morning Newspaper) Serbia, and Kosovo have agreed to implement an EU-backed deal to normalize bilateral relations but still disagree on some points.

The EU has been mediating talks between the two Balkan countries since Kosovo declare independence in 2008, but Belgrade still sees Kosovo as a Serbian province, which gives rise to concerns about the potential escalation of conflict, according to Reuters reported on Sunday.

Josep Borrell, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, noted after talks late on Saturday that “Kosovo and Serbia have agreed on the implementation annex of the agreement on the path to normalization of relations between them.”

The two sides reached a deal on Saturday after 12 hours of negotiations between Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti, and EU officials.

Borrell reminded that Serbia and Kosovo agreed to implement the EU-backed normalization deal in Brussels in February and added that he attended separate meetings with Vučić and Kurti before the tripartite meeting in North Macedonia.

Differences remain

Speaking at a press conference after the meeting, Vučić pointed out that Belgrade and Pristina still disagree on some points, but added “despite differences, we had a decent conversation.”

Separately, Kurti stated “this is a de facto recognition between Kosovo and Serbia,” noting that Serbia has not signed the agreement since February.

Borrell announced the EU would demand both sides fulfill their obligations under the agreement if they want to accede to the EU and stressed that failing to do so would have consequences.

He noted that Kosovo is to set up an association of Serb municipalities to grant more autonomy to municipalities with majority Serb population, which has been a point of contention for years.

“Kosovo has agreed to launch immediately – and when I am saying immediately, I mean immediately – negotiations with the European Union facilitated dialogue on establishing a specific arrangement and guarantees to ensure an appropriated level of self-management for the Serbian communities in Kosovo,” he pointed out.

According to the annex of the agreement released on Saturday, the EU is to organise a donor conference in five months to provide financial aid to Serbia and Kosovo.