Brussels, 04/07/2011 (Agence Europe) - The European Union congratulated Serbia and Kosovo on Monday 4 July for making important breakthroughs in talks aimed at easing relations, after they sealed agreement on three issues to help improve people's everyday lives. EU High Representative Catherine Ashton said the agreements “are good for both sides. They do not require either to give away anything, rather both sides gain a lot”. Speaking after talks in Brussels with Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, she said: “I'm looking forward to the swift implementation of these agreements. I hope too that the dialogue will soon bring further results”.
The deals, reached during weekend talks in Brussels, were the first between the two since Kosovo unilaterally broke away from Serbia in February 2008, a move which Belgrade and its ally Russia vehemently oppose. The EU-brokered talks, the fifth round in a series that began in March, produced deals in the areas of freedom of movement across their disputed mutual border, the recognition of each others' university and school diplomas, and civil registry.
The freedom of movement agreement focused on allowing people to cross the border with identity cards, not Kosovo passports, as well as the licence plates and insurance of any vehicles. The two also agreed in principle to certify a mutually acceptable international body or academic institution, which would decide how compatible their diplomas are. On civil registry, the EU justice mission in Kosovo, EULEX, will continue to establish a comprehensive register. When requested by Belgrade, EULEX will provide specific civil registration information from Kosovo. “These are issues that will make the lives of people much easier”, Thaci told reporters, and he added: “We will continue with the next issues on the agenda”. He also pledged to continue to fight corruption and organised crime.
During the weekend talks, progress was also made in the areas of telecommunications, land records, customs stamps and energy. The officials also exchanged views on matters of religious and cultural heritage as well as regional cooperation.
Ahead of the meeting, officials were cautiously optimistic that progress would be made, particularly in the wake of the arrest by Serbian authorities of the former Bosnian Serb military chief, Ratko Mladic. Hopes had been expressed that another round of talks might take place before the summer break, and, indeed, an EU statement said the two had agreed to meet again this month. Both Serbia and Kosovo want to join the European Union, and they have agreed not to let their membership aspirations cloud these talks. But the EU faces a delicate balancing act to bring both in, as the first to join might make it virtually impossible for the other to do so. “I believe that the future for Serbia and Kosovo lies in the European Union. And I do believe that we have to move forward for both, at the right time and in the right way”, said Ashton. “There's a long journey to the point of becoming a member of the European Union”, she added. Of the EU's 27 member states, 22 have recognised Kosovo's independence. (LoC)