Vaughn der Leyen On Vuchy Kurt: No funds if no normal relations

During European Commission President Ursula von der Leyeen's visit, the Serbian state leadership told the government and Serbia's president that the EC plans to condition 6 billion euros in assistance to the Western Balkans with progress in negotiations on normalising relations between Belgrade and Pristina, a senior European Commission official told Danas.

As he has explained, both Serbian President Aleksandar Vuciq and Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti have been informed of what is being prepared and what is expected of them.

It was explained what reforms are expected so that you would not tell us or know the condition later. Therefore, we demand that relations between Belgrade and Pristina be normalised on the basis of reached agreements. If there is no progress, there will be no money, it is clear this European Commission official, who has wanted to remain anonymous.

He added that if it is determined that one side is blocking progress through negotiations, and the other is not, then that non-blocking party will receive money from the EU aid package worth 6 billion euros.

The EC yesterday released the annual report on Serbia's progress towards the EU, where it says the key condition for Serbia's progress in the European integration process remains harmonisation with EU foreign and security policy and sanctions on Russia, as well as normalisation of relations with Kosovo.

European Commission Chairman Ursula von der Leyen, at a news conference in Brussels, has stated it is important that Kosovo have a clear goal for membership in the European Union, but the EU must also have clear what is expected of Pristina, which is the implementation of the Serbian Commission Association Act.