Kurti after meeting Escobar and Lajcak: Targa decision and documents are no longer extended

Kurti has called this preparation meeting prior to the August 18th meeting between him and Serbian President Aleksandar Vuciq in Brussels, within the dialogue mediating the EU.

They have been invited for dialogue after increasing tensions in northern Kosovo on July 31st.

Kosovo Serbs have set up barricades as a sign of dissatisfaction with the Kosovo government's step to implement two decisions for car plates and Serbian documents.

Barricades have been removed after the government has postponed implementing the decision on September 1st.

Kurti has said ahead of the media that at the meeting with Lajcak and Escobar, it has been discussed about <x0 framework elements for the agreement to normalise relations, which should have mutual recognition centred, as well as on current questions”.

“is expected to handle all bilateral relations with all difficulties and barriers”.

He has insisted that Kosovo is for reciprocity with Serbia.

Asked whether it is possible for Kosovo to push back on implementing decisions on Serbian license plates and documents, Kurti has said that “we are discussing solutions, not delaying”.

It's not like we've been pushing for more delays. The extension was made on July 31st on September 1st, and we witnessed on August 1st that we do not seize documents, such as the dezinformation campaign. On the other hand, it is possible that on September 1st we will not issue documents, because Serbia will also give up issuing documents at border crossings with Kosovo. We want mutual relations”.

Lajcak has said he wants an agreement at the August 18th meeting, but has not specified what.

He has said that through dialogue he wants the tense situation of July 31st to be avoided on September 1st.

Escobar, meanwhile, has said the US supports the EU-brokered dialogue.

He has said that at the meeting with Kurti, the Association of Serb-run municipalities has also been discussed.

According to him, the association should be formed in accordance with Kosovo's laws and constitution.

Kosovo and Serbia have agreements for Association in 2013 and later 2015 on principles for its establishment.

But in 2015, the Constitutional Court of Kosovo has found that the agreement is not in full harmony with the Constitution.

Even Serbian President Aleksandar Vuciq has held meetings with Lajcak and Escobar.

Earlier in the day Kurti and Vuciq have also met NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

Stoltenberg, has said Wednesday it is up to Belgrade and Pristina to avoid escalation of the situation and that the mission NATO in Kosovo, KFOR, is monitoring the situation and is willing to intervene in the event of destabilisation. / REL