On Thursday 8 November, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini urged the presidents of Kosovo and Serbia, Hashim Thaçi and Aleksandar Vučić respectively, to create "an environment conducive for the Dialogue".
"The European Union expects Serbia and Kosovo to swiftly deliver on their commitment to the Dialogue", the European External Action Service (EEAS) stated in a press release published at the end of the high level dialogue held in Brussels.
According to the EEAS, during her meetings with the two president, Mogherini highlighted "the need for Kosovo and Serbia to ensure an environment conducive for the Dialogue and to refrain from words, actions and measures that are contrary to the spirit of normalisation".
On 6 November, Kosovo imposed an import tax of 10% on products coming from Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina – a decision the European Commission denounced, believing it was in violation of Pristina's obligations under the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) and that it undermined regional cooperation. In retaliation, the Serbian president announced there would be no meeting between the two parties until the tax was removed.
Vučić also criticised Kosovo's plan to create an army. Thaçi for his part said the Serbian party was "aggressive and arrogant".
In order to try and appease the many tensions, the presidents and Mogherini discussed " the necessary steps for the way forward" and decided to "remain in constant contact in the coming days" to assess the follow up to the meeting on 8 November, according to the EEAS.
The EEAS also reiterated "the direct link" between comprehensive normalisation of relations between the two countries and the concrete prospects for their EU aspiration. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)