Brussels, 15/03/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 13 March, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton travelled to Kosovo and then to Serbia to meet politicians in charge of the normalisation of relations between Pristina and Belgrade.
At the end of her meeting with Kosovan President Atifete Jahjaga, Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi and several Kosovan party leaders, Ashton said that the discussions had particularly focused on the implementation of the agreements that have already been concluded, and on the need to finalise the discussions and reach agreements on the outstanding issues - “especially on the north of Kosovo as quickly as possible”. She had also said this on Monday 11 March to Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic, Prime Minister Ivica Dacic and Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic. Ashton then went on to Belgrade for further consultation with them, underlining that their meeting had been “very useful and constructive”.
After these meetings, both Thaçi and Dacic seemed optimistic, although Dacic was more circumspect on the possibility of an agreement. “We are optimistic that the negotiations are moving in the right direction. We expect an agreement on a general normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia”, Thaçi said. Nikolic also stressed his enthusiasm. “I am optimistic. We have never been so close to an agreement (…) which would allow Kosovan Serbs to live within their community with the help of rules that they would decide themselves, and to have a link with Serbia in the sense of Serbia being able to help them”, Nikolic said. Dacic is more reserved, however, saying that “no one can tell if we will reach an agreement”. He stated that the area of power and responsibility of the association of municipalities in north Kosovo “should be clearly defined - as should the role of the police and the judiciary of the Serbs in Kosovo. If we can find solutions that are acceptable for the two sides to these three issues we will be able to move forward” (our translation throughout).
Dacic and Thaçi are meeting Ashton in Brussels again on 20 March for their seventh meeting as part of the dialogue. (CG/transl.fl)