On Thursday 14 September, following a meeting with the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, and the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, deplored the lack of efforts by the two countries to implement the agreement on the path to normalisation (see EUROPE 13179/13).
Although 6 months have passed since the Serbian and Kosovar leaders agreed to normalise relations between Belgrade and Pristina, “only three elements have been addressed: the declaration of missing persons, the presentation of the status of the management team for the community of association and the announcement of the creation of the joint monitoring committee”, Mr Borrell bitterly summarised.
“This is very regrettable and speaks volumes about the true commitment of the parties to the normalisation of relations, or rather the lack of commitment. [...] The lack of action by either side means that Kosovo and Serbia are in direct and serious breach of their obligations to dialogue and their promises”, he continued.
At the meeting, Mr Kurti and Mr Vučić “started from opposite points of view”, explained the EU High Representative. For the Kosovan Prime Minister, the focus should be on the political aspects of normalisation, while for the Serbian President, the priority is the establishment of the Association of Serbian Municipalities in Kosovo (see EUROPE 13174/20).
A compromise - “the only one possible”, according to Mr Borrell - has been put on the negotiating table in an attempt to make progress. He proposes to work on the two issues in parallel, with a view to “gradual implementation”.
However, while Mr Vučić eventually sided with the EU proposal, Mr Kurti rejected the idea. “Unfortunately, after a lengthy meeting, Prime Minister Albin Kurti was not ready to move forward and begin a credible process for the creation of the association community”, said the High Representative.
In addition, part of the meeting focused on tensions in the north of Kosovo (see EUROPE 13209/5), following the election of Albanian mayors in four Serb-majority municipalities. The latter boycotted the ballot and the turnout did not exceed 3%. Violence broke out in the region (see EUROPE 13208/4).
No progress has been made on this point. “We once again urge both parties to take immediate steps in northern Kosovo to defuse the situation, avoid any further destabilisation and allow new early local elections to be held immediately”, insisted the EU High Representative.
To achieve this, there are two options: the resignation of the mayors or the collection of signatures to initiate a process that could lead to their removal from office. The EU is leaning towards the first option, deemed to be “quicker and more effective” in bringing about new early elections. (Original version in French by Thomas Mangin)