Strasbourg, 16/04/2013 (Agence Europe) - The adoption of the European Commission's reports on Serbia and Kosovo was postponed on 16 April as further discussions are planned for Wednesday 17 April. High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton has invited the prime ministers of Serbia, Ivica Dacic, and Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi, to a meeting in Brussels on 17 April. In a press release, Ashton says that she asked them to come “in a constructive spirit, ready to explore different options and agree to a mutual compromise”. “Let's hope that this opportunity will not be missed”, said the Kosovan minister for European integration, Vlora Citaku, stating that Kosovo has “good hopes of reaching an agreement”.
Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Füle, “without wanting to speculate”, said that, as far as he is aware, taking account of the discussions in Brussels, the discussions and negotiations in Serbia and Kosovo, and those that he has had with the countries, and taking account also of Ashton's decision to invite the prime ministers “all gives me confidence in the fact that there should be a credible and significant effort to bridge the very narrow but deep gap”, described by Ashton on 2 April (see EUROPE 10819). He reiterated his enthusiasm several times, saying that he believes that it is “possible to find a solution and to find an agreement between the two parties”.
Vote postponed on reports. The European Commission decided to delay its votes on Serbia and Kosovo's progress reports and on the proposal to authorise a stabilisation and association agreement with Pristina so as to give a chance to the dialogue on Wednesday, but a discussion on the countries has certainly taken place. The reports could be adopted later this week should the meeting on Wednesday be successful, and a discussion is scheduled for 22 April during the General Affairs Council. Füle said that, if progress is made in the dialogue, the Commission “will ensure that the positive result appears in the final version which will be swiftly adopted”.
After a meeting in Brussels on 2 April, which was the “last formal meeting”, according to Ashton (see EUROPE 10819), Serbia rejected the proposed agreement on 8 April to normalise it relations with Kosovo but wants to continue the discussions under the auspices of the EU (see EUROPE 10823). Ashton then called on Belgrade for “a final effort”. According to sources quoted by Reuters, informal discussions between the Serbian and Kosovan authorities over recent days have apparently brought their positions closer. (CG/transl.fl)