Brussels, 02/05/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 30 April, EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Füle commented: “That brings me to the agreement reached this February between Belgrade and Pristina. It was a major step forward, even if its first few weeks of implementation have been somewhat disappointing. I very much regret the difficulties encountered in the implementation of the agreement. I would like to recall that the agreement is to be implemented to the letter AND in the spirit of the principles of regional cooperation. For regional cooperation to be effective, it needs to be inclusive, representative and efficient. I continue to call on both sides to be pragmatic, not dogmatic.”
Elections welcomed by Ashton. On 1 May, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton welcomed the agreement signed with the OSCE to enable presidential and Serbian general elections to be held in Kosovo on 6 May. Ashton urged Pristina and Belgrade to continue to cooperate with the OSCE in good faith to ensure the elections take place peacefully and in an orderly manner. She urged all parties to refrain from any action that might lead to tension, explaining that the EULEX mission would be keeping an eye on security, in agreement with other international and local organisations, thanking and expressing full support for the OSCE in its role as facilitator.
Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in 2008, which Serbia refuses to recognise. (CG/transl.fl)