Lajcak: Kosovo-Serbia dialogue continues Thursday, normalisations of relations is back on track

Gazeta Express

12/07/2020 15:23

The virtual meeting between Pristina-Belgrade, facilitated by the European Union resumed on Sunday in Brussels. EU Special Representative on Dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak, said the parties agreed on the main elements of the process.

“We just concluded the virtual meeting with President [of Serbia Aleksandar] Vučić and Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti. I’m glad to say that after the Paris Summit [last Friday] and today’s meeting, the EU-facilitated Dialogue on comprehensive normalisations of relations between Serbia and Kosovo is back on track after 20 months,” Lajcak said in a video message.

“As a result of today’s meeting we agreed on the main elements of the process. We also agreed on the agenda of the next meeting that will take place in person in Brussels this coming Thursday. I want to thank both parties for their constructive engagement today,” Lajcak said.

On Sunday 12 July the Belgrade – Pristina Dialogue facilitated by the European Union will resume in Brussels in the form of videoconference. It will be first high-level meeting of the Dialogue since 2018 and will be followed by an in-person high-level meeting in Brussels on Thursday16 July.

Ahead of today’s video conference EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the European Union has been and continues to be ready to support and to facilitate the efforts to find a comprehensive, final and legally binding normalization agreement. “An agreement that addresses all outstanding issues. Such an agreement is crucial for a better future of the people of Kosovo and Serbia, it is crucial for their European perspective and for the security and stability of the entire region. All of that is also crucial for the EU,” Borrell stated.

He said the absence of a solution is hampering the development of the two sides. “The absence of a solution is hampering the development of the two sides. We know that it is not an easy process. It has never been. But there is urgency to work towards peace and prosperity for the sake of our common future,” he said. According to Borrell the talks will require political courage from both sides, it will require commitment and engagement in the spirit of compromise and pragmatism. /GazetaExpress/