In June, I'll be in Kosovo and Serbia, unlocking the situation -- Hahn and Moghrin talk about dialogue

Kosovo and Serbia must turn to dialogue on the contrary, there is risk of returning dark forces of the past and confrontation.

In this direction, Kosovo must lift its 100 per cent fee on Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina goods, while Serbia should create more suitable environments for continuing dialogue.

So have senior EU foreign policy officials Federica Moghrini and Commissioner Johannes Hahn.

Commenting on yesterday's events in the country's north, Moghrin said that this very case shows the need for Kosovo and Serbia to return to dialogue.

If EU aid is not used in a wise way today, there is also danger of a conflict between the two countries.

What happened yesterday in northern Kosovo tells us that Pristina and Belgrade should return to the dialogue table and follow with binding agreements... A binding legal agreement would be the best way to ensure that the entire region benefits from regional integration and development in the region. It's true, I talked about cooperation in the region. We know and agree that past trends of confrontation, or rhetoric that are not cooperative or harsh confrontation, can arise at any moment. And that's why I think we're at a crossroads. If the assistance we have, which is a reliable EU perspective for the region, if not used wisely, can include these trends and consolidate, if we lose this case, the risk of turning the dark forces of the past, even of the” conflict increases, Moghrin said.

She reiterated once again the call for the removal of the tax on Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, which she said is optimistic that the will to continue negotiations will not be lacking.

As EU donors, we understand that it is more appropriate to do business than war. Therefore, I think that the region has its own solution, and that includes Kosovo and Serbia. I think they are determined and want normalisation towards agreements that normalize relations. But it is clear that, first of all, I would refer to the need to remove the 100 per cent tax on goods coming from Serbia and Bosnia and Hercogovina, which clearly contradict agreements and do not create an environment for free trade. And, I am very sure and I hope the will will prevail and the talks will continue”, she said, stressing that it is ready to immediately call a meeting of both sides for dialogue.

EU Commissioner for European Policy of Business and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn also said that Kosovo and Serbia should show readiness for continued dialogue.

Serbia must define an environment for binding agreements with Kosovo, but in that direction I accept Vuciki's speech in recent days, that it sounds at least from my more positive point of view. But when we come to Kosovo, it should focus on implementing the Stabilisation and Association Agreement and should remove the tax 100 per cent for goods imported from Serbia and Bosnia and start dialogue with Serbia”, Hahn said.

Commissioner Hahn hinted that he believes Kosovo and Serbia can score progress in bilateral relations, where he indicated that in June he would make an effort to postpone the issue before.

I will make another effort in June to unlock this situation by going to these two countries. Perhaps to prepare something for July, I don't know whether it will be useful, but we should use every opportunity and try to do everything to unlock this situation that is also blocking the” region, he added.

After that, Hahn clarified that he mentioned Serbia's President Aleksandar Vuciq for his statements given several days ago, not those after yesterday's events, where he had shown readiness for intervention in Kosovo.