Brussels, 28/01/2014 (Agence Europe) - At the end of their 21st dialogue on 27 January, the prime ministers of Serbia and Kosovo, Ivica Dacic and Hashim Thaçi respectively, left without finding an agreement on the justice system and the community of Serbian municipalities. Kosovo and Serbia are reportedly still in disagreement over the fact that the ethnic composition of the population must be reflected in the police and justice staff numbers: “There are considerable differences in the positions of the two parties”, Dacic said.
High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton said that the prime ministers also discussed how to take their work forward “in the light of events, particularly elections that will take place in Mitrovica North” where there will be a re-run of municipal elections on 23 February. The parliamentary elections in Serbia are scheduled for 16 March - elections that Dacic assured will not upset the dialogue and the EU accession process. Thaçi said that the discussion also focused on the work of the new municipal authorities in Mitrovica North.
Elsewhere, Dacic expressed surprise at the action taken against Oliver Ivanovic, the head of the citizens' initiative Liberty, Democracy, Justice on 27 January, and described it as a “negative move”, worrying about the consequences on the elections on 23 February. Ivanovic is suspected of two serious crimes in 1999 and 2000.
The next meeting will take place on 12 February, Ashton announced. A United Nations Security Council session will be held on 10 February, with the attendance of the two prime ministers.