“Interesting proposals”, expected from the visit of Western diplomats to Kosovo and Serbia

Thus has the European Union justified its envoy's visits to Kosovo dialogue Serbia, Miroslav Lajcak, along with US envoy for the Western Balkans Gabriel Escobar, and senior officials from France, Emmanuel Bonne, Germany, Jens Ploter and Italy, Francesco Talo, in Pristina and Belgrade.

According to the prime minister's announcement, Kosovo government chief Albin Kurti will host diplomats at 10:00.

Authorities in Belgrade have said meetings in the Serbian capital will begin at 2: 00 p.m.

Diplomatic sources in Brussels have told Radio Free Europe that with this visit it is intended to send a message that unity exists between the United States and the EU, to be worked on in the implementation of the Agreement to normalise relations between the two countries, reached in February of this year in Brussels.

A month later, in Ohrid, North Macedonia, reconciliation has been reached for the annex of its implementation.

At a summit held 20 October between the US and the EU in Washington, the parties have called for implementation of “fast and unconditionally” of the Agreement to normalise relations between Kosovo and Serbia, and for the two countries to return dialogue.

“underline the need for Kosovo and Serbia, urgently to reduce tensions and quickly, without conditions to implement the agreement on the road to normalisation of the reports between them and return to the EU facilitated dialogue“, is said among other things in the adopted declaration.

But, after developments in Zvecan Banjska, Kosovo authorities have said things can no longer be the same as in the course of dialogue.

On 24 September, Kosovo Police Sergeant Africa Bunnjak was killed in Banjska as a result of attacks by a terrorist group.

In exchange for the fire, three more terrorists were killed between the police and that group.

The responsibility for the attack has been taken over by former Serbian List Deputy Chairman Milan Radojic, who has later given up all party functions, enjoying the support of official Belgrade.

Kosovo is seeking Radojic's extradition from Serbia.

Kosovo blames Serbia for the September 24th attack, but it rejects all claims.

What does Kosovo want?

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has said on October 20th that there can be no normalisation of reports with Serbia, without security in Kosovo.

Kosovo's chief negotiator for dialogue between the two countries, Besnik Bislimi, has said measures must initially be taken away against Kosovo, and Serbia should not be allowed to commit aggression again in Kosovo.

The European Union has imposed punitive measures against Kosovo months ago, following increasing tensions in northern Kosovo.

The situation, on occasion, has escalated into violence.

Kosovo's request for the deployment of punitive measures against Serbia has also prompted the European Parliament, which through a resolution adopted on October 19th, has demanded that Belgrade face consequences if a direct link of Serbia is proven to the attack on Banjska.

What is required of the two countries?

Sources in Brussels have told Radio Europe free that diplomats' expectations are that Kosovo is required to find a way for <x0) the quick organisation of local elections in the four municipalities in the north” and the pledge to launch the founding of the Serb majority municipalities, which the government in Pristina has so far refused, with the argument that it could jeopardise the state's functionality.

Serbia is believed to be required to distance itself from any action that could destabilise Kosovo's north and also implement agreements that have been reached earlier in the dialogue.

A key normalization agreement

Western diplomats have mentioned several times that implementing the agreement reached on February 27th in Brussels is a key step forward towards European integration.

The 11-nine agreement does not force Serbia to recognise Kosovo, but requires both countries to accept each other's documents and symbols, including passports, diplomas and license plates.

“

Days earlier, US Ambassador to Belgrade Christopher Hill has told N1 television in Serbia that at meetings on October 21st, Kosovo and Serbia, you will be given “interesting proposals”, without providing more details.

Kosovo and Serbia are part of the EU-brokered dialogue for normalisation of reports since 2011.

The sides have signed a host of agreements, but not all have been implemented.

Only Prime Minister Kurti and Serbian President Aleksandar Vuciq have met eight times within this dialogue since 2021, but all meetings have ended without signing any agreement.