Moghrin talks about the tax, says without removing it there are no conditions for dialogue

She's in an interview for REL said the tax, which is seen as an obstacle to the continuation of the dialogue, “regrets”, Moghrin said, as, according to her, elements for agreement between the parties exist. Moghrin, who soon completes the mandate, spoke from Poland's Poznan, where a summit was held for the Western Balkans.

Mrs. Moghrin, what did you get out of the meeting in Poznan?

Federica Moghrini: First of all, repeated pledges by all members of the Berlin Process for the Western Balkans. This is about economic co-operation, investments, digital connections, transportation. There are, first of all, many economic investments, but also political will for concrete projects, in the best of people. But let me underline that this is no substitute for enlargement. The countries of the region need to know that their future could be in the European Union if the process goes well.

But is that reliable? France's president, Emmanuel Macron, repeatedly says there can be no expansion...

Federica Moghrini: I think it must be reliable. If European Union member states do not make decisions, especially on opening negotiations (of membership) with Albania and Northern Macedonia in October, I think it would be a big mistake.

Dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia is a process that has been developed during your mandate as EU High Representative. You've always said that the agreement between the parties is near. Can it be achieved before you complete the term?

Federica Moghrini: I continue to believe that the agreement is possible and is near. I believe the two sides understand that it is up to their people to reach full agreement, for full normalisation (of relations), legally binding, that covers all aspects of the difficulties still on the table.

But if you ask me whether it is likely to be achieved in the next three or four months, I tell you that until the fee Pristina has placed on goods imported from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina remains in force, I see no conditions for calling for dialogue at a high level. I believe it is to regret because I have really seen that elements for normalisation, legally binding agreements exist.

Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj has been here (in Poznan). He's very involved in this fee. Have you talked to him? Do you see any way to remove this fee?

Federica Moghrini: Not only I, but also leaders of European Union member states from other parts of the world, have discussed this with him in the last seven months. We haven't seen any moves. I think it's in the interest of the people of Kosovo and the people of the region to withdraw or suspend this fee and turn to the negotiating table, because the status quo is not sustainable. Kosovo's future in the region and towards the EU relates to dialogue.

We had a meeting in Berlin, and then the meeting in Paris wasn't... Are you still in charge of this matter?

Federica Moghrini: I am always happy when member states mobilise their energy at the level of Chancellor and president to support the EU-attensive dialogue. Things are more complicated than they look. And that is probably why the Paris meeting has been postponed. I am still in charge and the future EU High Representative will be in charge. There's a simple reason for this: Serbia and Kosovo are negotiating in this process because of their EU perspective.

And it's in the hands of the EU and anyone else; not in the hands of our partners, not in the hands of a single member country. This relates to the EU perspective. We work closely with all member states, with 28, not only two, and also with our partners from the United States to others. After all, the High Representative mediates this dialogue on behalf of the UN General Assembly, which has mandated the EU High Representative to do so.

You mentioned the United States. Can the deal be reached without the United States? Should the U.S. be more involved?

Federica Moghrini: The United States has been very supportive. We have been in constant contact with them, informed them, and received support from them. This is one of the issues where cooperation between the European Union and the United States has always been extremely important and positive. But I've always kept a channel open with others. I can mention Moscow or China the permanent members of the UN Security Council because we know that any kind of agreement we can reach at a certain moment will have to be supported not only by EU member states, not only by the region, but also by the international community, in general.

The proposal, which seems to have support from you, for changing borders, is it still on the table?

Federica Moghrini: The role of facilitators is to facilitate dialogue. Ideas, content, proposals coming to the table do not belong to the High Representative, the facilitators, but come from the sides. There's never been discussions on exchange of territories, as it has been said, or border arrangements. It is clear that the agreement that would cover all aspects and bring full normalisation of relations between Belgrade and Pristina, should also have reconciliation for borders. I remind everyone that this for Serbia's Constitution does not exist.

Dialogue includes discussions on recognition of borders. That's why the case is on the table. But there were no proposals for me. My role has always been to gather parties, to mediate differences in attitudes. For me, and I believe for the rest of the international community, for the European Union, for the region, whatever agreement will be stable for both sides, for the population of both sides, and will be in the best interests of the whole region, fully respecting international law and the principle of multiethnicity that is the fundamental value of the EU will function.

Your successor will likely be Spaniard Josep Borrell. Spain does not recognise Kosovo. Is this a problem for future dialogue?

Federica Moghrini: The High Representative represents the European Union and the European Union's position. Josep Borrell is smart, experienced and has all my support. I'm sure he will be able to manage this mediated, clever, decisive and with respect to EU positions.