Brussels, 21/02/2013 (Agence Europe) - High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton has said that she is “pleased with the significant progress” that Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic and Kosovan Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi made during their “in-depth” discussions on 19-20 February as part of the dialogue for the normalisation of relations. She said that Dacic and Thaçi are also pleased. In a press release, Dacic said that this new round of discussions - which lasted seven hours over two days - was “a bit more difficult” and that the discussions were “very long and difficult” but took place in “a correct and constructive atmosphere”.
Next meeting on 14 March. Ashton said that Dacic and Thaçi have returned to their capitals for consultations (without giving further detail), and she said that there will be another meeting on 4 March.
Although Thaçi confirmed that no new agreement has been concluded between Pristina and Belgrade, Dacic said that “there was some progress” on the parallel structures in the north of Kosovo - in other words the judicial system, the municipalities, the police issues. Dacic stated that Serbia has made a proposal on a “community of Serbian municipalities”, adding that he is convinced the subject is being debated “seriously”. This issue of community includes other complex issues such as justice, security, education and health, he explained. In his opinion, the idea of forming a community will have to have been tackled by the next meeting “because it represents a way of overcoming the parallel institutions”. Dacic warned that Serbia will not allow the dismantling of institutions before an agreement has been found on what will replace them. (CG/transl.fl)