Will the EU force Kosovo to form the Association of Serbian municipalities?

European Parliament rapporteur for Serbia David McAllister said negotiations on Serbia's EU membership require continued moves towards better relations with Kosovo.

“Normising relations should benefit the citizens of Serbia and Kosovo and is essential to preserving peace and stability in the region”, McAllister told the Serbian newspaper Kurir, Radio Free Europe Radio Service broadcasts.

Asked whether the EU would pressure Pristina to form the Association of Serb-run municipalities, McAllister said “The EU will not force either Serbia or Kosovo to undertake the” initiative.

“Belgrade and Pristina talk about future relations, while the EU mediates them. The sustainable normalisation of relations will never be achieved by violence, but with the reconciliation of both sides”, McAllister said.

He also welcomed, as he said, the initiative of Serbian President Aleksandar Vuciq to launch domestic dialogue on Kosovo.