Brussels, 22/04/2013 (Agence Europe) - Reacting to the news immediately on 19 April, Europeans welcomed the agreement struck between Serbia and Kosovo to normalise their relations. Most described it as “historic” and called for its implementation. They hailed the work of the prime ministers of Serbia, Ivica Dacic, and Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi, and of High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton.
Underlining that the agreement “marks an important moment in the relationship between Serbia and Kosovo as well as in their relations with the European Union”, President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy said that the agreement “represents a major achievement as the parties have committed to jointly work towards a future in the European Union”. He encouraged the parties “to continue with the same constructive approach as regards implementing” the text. “Concrete results in the implementation are crucial - there are no shortcuts”, he warned.
President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso said he was confident that the agreement “will pave the way for the Council to take decisions on the next steps on the European path” of Belgrade and Pristina. “The people of Serbia and Kosovo want to move forward and make their European perspective a reality”, he added. Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Füle said that it is now crucial for the political leaders and the public in Serbia and Kosovo to support the agreement and actively contribute to implementing it. He added that this is an occasion not to be missed.
President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz also welcomed the agreement which he said was long awaited. In addition, the European Parliament rapporteurs on Serbia and Kosovo, Jelko Kacin and Ulrike Lunacek, welcomed the agreement. In Luncek's opinion it shows that the EU is an effective international soft power.
Numerous European diplomats also welcomed the agreement, calling for its implementation as quickly as possible.
A 15-point agreement. The agreement between Belgrade and Pristina, in 15 points, underlines inter alia the creation of an association/community of Serb majority municipalities in Kosovo, and it explains the main features of them. Elections will be organised in the municipalities of the north in 2013. The text states that the police in north Kosovo will be integrated into the structure of the police in Kosovo. A regional police commander for the four Serb majority municipalities in the north, who will be Serbo-Kosovan, will be appointed and the composition of the police in the north will reflect the ethnic composition of the population of the four municipalities. The judicial authorities will be integrated and will operate in the legal framework of Kosovo. Changes are also planned at the level of the court of appeal. Discussions on energy and telecoms, which are due to intensify, must come to an end by 15 June. Neither side will block or encourage others to block the progress of the other country on its European path, the text states. An implementation committee will be set up by the two parties, with the assistance of the EU. (CG/transl.fl)