The EU Special Representative for the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak said that he expects for a comprehensive agreement between the two countries to be reached within the governing mandate of Vetevendosje’s leader, Albin Kurti and the Acting President, Vjosa Osmani.
“I have said in the past and I want to repeat: this process can be completed within several months,” he said.
“We definitely don’t need another 10 years, nor five, not even three, if there is commitment, if there is willingness of the parties,” Lajcak told media on Tuesday during a joint press conference with Osmani.
After meeting Kurti on Monday and Osmani on Tuesday as part of a three-day visit in Kosovo, Lajcak concluded that the dialogue will continue.
“I had a very long and detailed discussion with Mr. Kurti and Madame President Vjosa Osmani about where we stand in dialogue and what has been achieved, particularly since its resumption in July, and what are the next steps as we foresee them,” Lajcak said.
Kurti has previously stated that the two top priorities of his party are justice and employment.
By expressing support for these priorities set by Kurti, Lajcak said that those were also values of the European Union.
Osmani stated that a new chapter in Kosovo-Serbia relations should begin and that Prishtina should take a different approach to the dialogue.
“This new approach means that we will in no way accept discussing issues relating to borders, sovereignty and the constitutional order of Kosovo – these negotiations finished in February 2008,” she said.
Osmani added that Kosovo has already made many concessions by even bringing the country to the brink of non-functionality.
“It is not a question of what Kosovo can give again, but how the EU can give the benefit to Kosovo and Serbia for EU membership,” she said.
Lajcak also met the Outgoing Prime Minister, Avdullah Hoti who thanked him for the cooperation in facilitating the dialogue process with Serbia.
Lajcak started his meetings in Kosovo with Albin Kurti who according the preliminary results of parliamentary elections, won 48% of votes.
