EU hosts focus for plates, association, comprehensive agreement

In the European Union, they believe that reaching compromise on documents, which EU High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security Josep Borrell announced on Saturday, will do much to reduce tensions between Kosovo and Serbia and avoid escalation of the situation.

This success, by diplomats in the EU, is also described as evidence that when the EU and the United States work together, achieving goals is easier.

But, recalling diplomats in Brussels, some other issues remain that need to be resolved, and for which the parties are far away in attitudes.

Emergency issues continue to be considered car license plates. In the EU, they claim that active engagement will continue, with the goal of reaching a compromise even on this subject. The issue, diplomats in Brussels say, has potential to create tensions on the ground.

The Kosovo government has made the decision that all drivers in Kosovo -- driving cars with license plates issued by Serbia -- to replace them with RKS CHA license plates.

The government, too, had decided that all Serbian citizens entering Kosovo to equip themselves with a separate document issued by Kosovo authorities. Serbia, for years, has acted similar to Kosovo citizens who have entered its territory.

It has been preambled that these two decisions would come into force on August 1st, but, due to the rebellion of some Serbs in northern Kosovo and with the international community's suggestion, the Kosovo government has postponed their implementation on September 1st.

Now that the issue of entry/exit documents has been resolved, it remains that of plates expected to be implemented by early next month.

European sources say it would be good to use “mosphere created with reconciliation for documents” to achieve progress on other subjects as well.

Already, sources in the EU confirm, there is full reconciliation for signing a joint declaration on the issue of missing persons from the 1998/99 war.

This was also ready for the last meeting between Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, and Serbia's president, Aleksandar Vuciq, which was held on 18 August. But she reportedly remained in the shadow of tensions for the other two topics of license plates and documents.

In the EU, they also believe that energy agreement implementation will now be implemented. The progress in implementing this agreement would help improve the atmosphere in the” dialogue, the EU says.

Kosovo and Serbia have started dialogue on normalising relations since 2011, reaching dozens of agreements. However, their implementation on the ground leaves them to wish.

In the EU, there are two topics they want to start talks with, while Kosovo and Serbia have very opposite positions.

One is that of establishing the Association of Serb-run municipalities in Kosovo. Serbia is asking for that, even having EU support and US understanding.

But the problem remains the Kosovo Government's refusal to discuss it and Serbia's refusal to have the association developed according to Kosovo Constitutional Court decisions.

Let's first see concrete proposals from Kosovo for its formation [the association]. And then we'll see what legal implications --” -- said an EU source when asked whether it is the position of the EU, like the United States of America, that association should be in line with Kosovo's laws and Constitution.

The next issue the EU and the US want to see is <x0 concrete, constructive and dynamic commitment of the parties” for the comprehensive agreement, which is also the main goal of dialogue. But the parties also see that.

Kosovo, the United States of America and many EU states that have recognised Kosovo as a state say the basis of this agreement should be mutual recognition between Kosovo and Serbia as two sovereign states. But, Serbia continues to say it does not want to talk about recognising Kosovo.

In the EU, they expect that now, for all these topics, there will be constructive dialogue and that, despite differences, leaders will meet regularly, at least once a month.

EU sources say Prime Minister Kurti and President Vuciq, during the recent meeting in Brussels, have expressed their readiness to meet regularly.