8 minutes agoCloses the Brdo-Brijun summit: Kosovo liberalise visas, dialogue continue
Periskopi(4 years ago)
(4 years ago)The Brdo-Brijun summit in Slovenia, attended by Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani. Because of disagreements, the region's joint declaration of presidents has not been adopted, yet green light was given to some conclusions, among them visa liberalisation for Kosovo and granting candidate status to Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the meantime, [...]
The two leaders of the summit -- Slovenian President Borut Pahor and Croatian President Zoran Milanovic -- at the joint media conference also mentioned the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, which was asked for open issues to be resolved in trust.
Until the Croatian president, Milanovic, openly said Serbia must recognise Kosovo's independence, he Slovenian said the most reserved.
Unfortunately, we will not be able to make the adoption of the declaration even though we've made up its design, as there are issues that have divided us. During the conference that was also common decisions, it gives us the opportunity to adopt some points as the conclusion”, Slovenian President Borut Pahor said.
Asked by journalists whether they have demanded from Serbia, recognition of Kosovo's independence, Pahor said dialogue has been discussed, but no one has said anything in that direction.
“Dialogue has been discussed, but no one has said anything in this direction. So far, in every statement given, we have demanded that the two sides continue dialogue and try to resolve the issues, as only in this form of peace and stability will the region be preserved”, He added.
Meanwhile, Croatia's President Zoran Milanovic said he supports recognition of Kosovo's independence, but is currently not real from Serbia to recognise Kosovo.
We have not discussed that issue, as this would be beyond the point of no return. But I support the recognition of Kosovo, but it is currently unrealistic from Serbia to recognise Kosovo. That is the opinion of Vucinqi and the whole country”, he stressed.
Among other things, the two presidents asked the European Union to speed up the integration process for Western Balkan countries.
Otherwise, these are the six conclusions reached at this summit:
1. We reiterated the importance of EU enlargement as the most direct contribution to preserving peace and stability in the region, enlargement is more than ever geopolitical.
2. We call for a faster EU integration process, in line with the conditions known for membership.
3. We call for granting candidate status to Bosnia and Herzegovina by the end of 2022.
4. We call for visa liberalisation for the entire Western Balkans by the end of 2022.
5. We urge the EU to stand by the Western Balkans in easing the effects of the economic and energy crisis.
6. We affirm our commitment to dialogue as the only way to overcome differences and open issues in the region.
