Brussels, 31/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - On 30-31 October, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stressed, during a press conference with Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic and Kosovar Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi, the importance of dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo. While they said in Belgrade that holding dialogue with Kosovo does not oblige recognition of its independence, they explained in Pristina that the independence of Kosovo is not up for discussion.
“The dialogue with Pristina and the normalisation of relations - which is not asking for recognition - is really important. There are no other realistic or better alternatives, and things will not become easier by postponing difficult decisions “, Ashton said. “This dialogue does not oblige Serbia to recognise Kosovo”, Clinton said. “Kosovo is an independent nation. The boundaries of Europe will not change”, she added however - her country being one of the main supporters of an independent Kosovo. She said that the independence of Kosovo is not up for discussion, explaining that the USA is opposed to any discussion on territorial changes or the re-opening of Kosovo's status. The USA is formally committed to favour the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Kosovo as well as the rule of law in Kosovo, Clinton added.
Dacic said that he is “grateful to Baroness Ashton for her attitude that she had during that meeting, and she kept repeating that she is not pushing Serbia and that the European Union is not pushing Serbia to accept anything that Serbia doesn't want. And that was reiterated by Secretary Clinton that the United States are not going to make pressure on Serbia to do something that it cannot do and to accept - to recognise Kosovo”. He also said - while demonstrations were organised to criticise Ashton and Clinton's visit on the grounds that these visits would try to put pressure on the Serbian leaders and force them to recognise the agreements with Kosovo, which in the view of the demonstrators would limit the rights of Serbs from Kosovo - that Clinton and Ashton “did not wish to pose any ultimatums or any conditions”.
Implementing the agreements and continuing progress. “The United States urges all parties to implement the agreements reached to date and to advance concrete measures that will normalise relations”, Clinton said, echoing Ashton, who also stressed that dialogue is not easy for either the Serbs or the Kosovars. Clinton welcomed the elevation of talks to the level of the prime ministers and the high representative because it “presents an opportunity for both countries to make long-awaited progress on key issues” and especially the normalisation of relations. According to Dacic another meeting will take place in November. He promised to engage in the dialogue and said he wanted to resolve outstanding practical questions with Pristina by the end of his government's mandate in four years' time.
The three leaders also spoke of their support for Serbia and Kosovo joining the EU. Dacic said that “of course, it is very obvious that we want to become a member of the European Union”. (CG/transl.fl)