The Kosovo-Serbia dialogue has resumed on Sunday through a video conference organized by Brussels.
It comes two days after another virtual summit organized by President Macron and Chancellor Merkel.
In his opening remarks, EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell stated that the aim of the resumed dialogue, after it has stalled for about two years, is to “restart a serious and intense work in the normalization of relation between the two sides.” He emphasized that the dialogue should result in “a comprehensive, final and legally binding normalization agreement, an agreement that would resolve all outstanding issues.”
The key dispute between Kosovo and Serbia remains Kosovo’s recognition. While by “normalization of relations” Kosovo understands its recognition by Serbia, the latter excludes this.
Today’s virtual summit between Kosovo Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic is facilitated by EU Special Envoy Miroslav Lajcak. It was planned to be a face-to-face meeting, but it changed at the request of Hoti. The meeting was postponed to July 16, in Brussels.
Borrell emphasized that the dialogue will be difficult, will require political courage from both sides, and commitment in the spirit of compromise and pragmatism.
He said a Kosovo-Serbia deal is crucial for their EU accession, security and stability in the region, economic development, as well as for the EU.
