Brussels, 20/02/2012 (Agence Europe) - The new dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo, to open in Brussels this Tuesday 21 February under the auspices of the EU, and which will focus on regional cooperation and the implementation of agreements already signed, including integrated border management, could lead to an agreement, a European diplomat announced on Monday 20 February. “I am optimistic about an agreement”, this diplomat stressed, adding that even though he was optimistic, a meeting would have been important due to the General Affairs Council of 28 February, which is to decide whether or not to give Serbia accession candidate status, “for greater clarity on the possibility of reaching an agreement”.
According to a European diplomat, it is the “footnotes” causing the problem on the question of Kosovo's participation and representation in regional cooperation. “If there is an agreement, it will be important to look at the agreement and not the footnotes. The substance is the most important thing”, he explained.
Disagreement over the details. According to the media in Kosovo, the prime minister of Kosovo, Hasim Taci, said on Sunday 16 that an agreement would reflect two realities: “Kosovo as an independent and sovereign state, and Serbian non-recognition of this reality”. “The positions of Belgrade and Pristina have moved closer together”, he said. Taci explained that Kosovo would be represented in regional initiatives as an “independent and sovereign state”, and that it would also be represented in a footnote referring to the 2008 resolution on the independence of Kosovo, the opinion of the International Court of Justice, and resolution 1244 of the United Nations Security Council. “A gross error”, in the view of Serbian negotiator Borislav Stefanovi, who is opposed to the name Republic of Kosovo, and hopes to conclude an agreement which respects this resolution and the Serbian constitution.
An important agreement, but not enough. However, an agreement between Pristina and Kosovo is not the only point which will guarantee Serbia its candidate status. “Cooperation with Eulex is just as important”, the diplomat stressed. “This will depend on what happens on the ground”, he added. (CG/transl.fl)