“Recent tensions in northern Kosovo have once again shown that it is time to move towards full normalization of relations,” EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell wrote on Twitter on Thursday. He called for both countries to be “open and flexible”.
https://twitter.com/JosepBorrellF/status/1560184533579927552
The cause of the dispute is the declaration of independence of the former Serbian republic of Kosovo in 2008, which Serbia does not recognize as a separate state. 13,000 people were killed in the war that resulted from Kosovo’s independence efforts. The majority of the Serb population in northern Kosovo remains loyal to the Belgrade government.
barricades at the border
The conflict, which has been brewing for years, has recently intensified as Pristina, in response to a corresponding Serbian measure, wants to demand a temporary residence permit from Serbs entering the country – and Serbs in Kosovo to replace their Serbian plates with Kosovars. . In view of the escalation of the conflict – Serbs in northern Kosovo have erected barricades – Pristina has postponed the new regulation until 1 September.
After a meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Wednesday, the Serbian president said he expected “difficult talks” with the Kosovan side. “Even if I keep hoping for some form of solution, I remain skeptical,” Vucic said on Twitter Thursday. Kurti criticized “illegal Serb structures” that “turned into criminal gangs” and would set up barricades in northern Kosovo.
Stoltenberg said on Wednesday that NATO-led security forces were ready to intervene “if stability is threatened.” Troops could also be reinforced if needed.
wants to join the EU
Borrell said on Thursday that “it won’t be necessary.” He met Kosovar Prime Minister Kurti and then Serbian President Vucic before bringing the two politicians together as part of the “Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue”. This has been managed by the EU Commission since 2011.
About a hundred countries around the world now recognize Kosovo, including most EU countries and the US. Serbia’s allies, China and Russia, on the other hand, refuse.
Serbia and Kosovo intend to join the EU. Serbia has been granted candidate status and has been negotiating since 2014. Kosovo is a “potential candidate”.