In the evening of Thursday 19 January, the European External Action Service (EEAS) announced that EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini has invited representatives of Serbia and Kosovo to a high-level meeting as part of the 'Dialogue for normalisation of relations’ in Brussels on Tuesday 24 January.
In a press release, the EEAS says that developments in recent days demonstrate the need for greater commitment from both parties as part of this dialogue. Tension has risen in recent weeks with the attempt to send a train from Belgrade to Mitrovica without Kosovo’s authorisation (see EUROPE 11705). The EEAS added that progress in normalisation of relations was of primordial importance for both sides, for the EU and for the Western Balkans as a whole.
On Friday, an EEAS spokeswoman, recognised that not all agreements taken as part of the dialogue had been implemented. Some had been fully or partially implemented but others not at all. She said that they were continuing to work on application of these agreements by both sides, noting that the EU is simply a facilitator.
The spokeswoman said that the EU would continue to discuss with both sides the reopening of Mitrovica bridge, which was supposed to take place on 20 January but has been postponed. She said the EU was continuing to talk with both sides to find a mutually acceptable solution too all issues relating to King Peter Street and Mitrovica Bridge, including a new opening date. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)