Brussels, 02/07/2011 (Agence Europe) - Serbia and Kosovo began a new round of talks in Brussels on Saturday 2 July, with EU officials cautiously optimistic that the two sides could make progress on technical issues if they were willing. Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in February 2008, and the talks, which began in March, are aimed at re-establishing some confidence between them and move their relations forward. “We are optimistic about achieving concrete results”, a senior EU official told reporters ahead of the meeting. The talks, now in their fifth round, will focus on freedom of movement, civil registry, land records, telecommunications, energy issues and the recognition of university and school diplomas.
It is hoped that the arrest of the former Bosnian Serb military chief, Ratko Mladic, who was picked up in Serbia and is wanted for war crimes including genocide, will have improved the mood of the meeting. If any breakthrough happens, it might encourage the parties to hold one more round of talks, under EU auspices, before the summer break. The most likely area of progress appears to be the free movement of people across their contested common border.
Both Kosovo and Serbia are striving to join the European Union, but they have committed not to allow the issue to prejudice their talks. Twenty-two of the EU's member states have officially recognised Kosovo, but Serbia still regards it as its territory. Belgrade has acknowledged that the issue of Kosovo's status must be resolved before Serbia can join the EU, which it is relatively well placed to do, particularly since handing over Mladic to the war crimes court in The Hague. (LoC)