The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, announced on the evening of Monday 27 February that Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti had agreed that there was no need for further discussions on the EU proposal (see EUROPE 13129/9). The two leaders agreed in principle on this proposal.
“We have had intense discussions in different formats; both leaders have shown responsible behaviour and readiness to find solutions”, the High Representative stressed to the media.
According to Mr Kurti, while the Kosovo side was ready to sign the agreement, Mr Vučić felt that further discussions were needed.
Under the 11-article proposal, entitled ‘Agreement on the path to normalisation between Kosovo and Serbia’, the parties are to develop “normal and good neighbourly relations on the basis of equal rights”. They agree to deepen future cooperation in a number of areas, including the economy, transport, judicial and law enforcement relations.
The parties shall also mutually recognise each other’s national documents and symbols, including passports, diplomas, licence plates and customs stamps.
The proposal also emphasises “the sovereign equality of all States, respect for their independence, autonomy and territorial integrity, the right to self-determination, the protection of human rights and non-discrimination”.
Both sides commit to establishing “specific arrangements and guarantees to ensure an appropriate level of self-governance for the Kosovo Serb community and the ability to provide services in specific areas, including the possibility of financial support by Serbia and a direct channel of communication for the Serb community with the Kosovo government”.
For Kosovo Serbs, the agreement “means more security, certainty and predictability - in terms of their protection and rights in Kosovo - including for the Serbian Orthodox Church and Serbian cultural and religious heritage sites” Borrell said.
Serbia and Kosovo also promise not to block each other’s progress towards the EU, and Belgrade not to block Pristina’s membership of any international organisation.
Blockage on implementation
While the parties have expressed their willingness to proceed with the implementation of this proposal, further negotiations are needed to determine the specific modalities for implementing the provisions, Borrell said, adding that “the implementation annex is an integral part of the agreement, and has yet to be finalised”.
According to the First Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo, Besnik Bislimi, there is a need to “remove all ambiguity”. It is necessary to “specify the obligations of the parties and the guarantees of the mediators and, therefore [...] to decide on a timetable for the different stages and to decide on the control and follow-up mechanism and the consequences for both parties in the event of non-compliance”, he added at a hearing in the European Parliament (see other news).
A further meeting between the two leaders will be convened in March by the EU High Representative to finalise discussions on the annex. In the meantime, the EU Special Representative, Miroslav Lajčák, will visit both countries to follow up on the discussions and prepare for the next meeting.
Furthermore, both sides have agreed to refrain from any uncoordinated action that could lead to renewed tensions on the ground and derail these negotiations, Borrell said, adding that the EU expects the parties to engage constructively in the process and that all agreements reached previously and “which remain valid and binding” will be implemented.
See the agreement: https://aeur.eu/f/5jk (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)