Without Thaci: EU seeks continuation of dialogue without Kosovo president

EU officials have announced that after these developments they no longer consider Kosovo's president, a partner in the dialogue process.

“in our reactions so far, we have said between the lines, that it would be better for him (Thaci) to focus on his indictment and that until the issue is resolved, so that there will be an act of justice, on the part of the EU there will be very little interaction with him”, a European official dealing with the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue process has told Radio Free Europe (RFE).

In any case, the EU estimates that official Pristina will continue to be committed to dialogue, regardless of who develops it in the name of Kosovo.

The “does not belong to the EU to choose co-talkers, but it is up to the Kosovo side to decide who will best represent their interests”, said Virginia Battu-Henriksson, an EU spokeswoman.

The EU intends soon to organise a Sam in Paris, where Kosovo and Serbia delegations will meet. Nicosia will be France's president, Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
The meeting will likely take place on July 10th. This date is set before the announcement of the indictment against the president of Kosovo.

According to officials from Berlin, the current political circumstances in Pristina will not change the summit agenda, but will certainly influence changes to the guest list, which means Kosovo's president will not be invited to Paris.

A German official told reporters they hoped the EU would strengthen efforts to advance the issue of dialogue and reach an agreement between Serbia and Kosovo.

Last week, a specialised prosecutor at The Hague said he has filed charges against Kosovo president, under suspicion that he is involved in war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Thaci decided to stay in the president's position, saying he would resign only if claims are confirmed in the indictment, on the part of the judges of the preliminary procedure. / REL/