Von der Leyen in Belgrade: Recognition e facto implies implementation of agreement on the part of Serbia

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyeen said yesterday from Belgrade that recognition of Kosovo's independence for Serbia means implementing the agreement reached on the road to normalisation of relations.

Von der Leyen moved to Belgrade from Podgorica, while in advance he remained in Pristina. Her speech at the media conference in Belgrade, after meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vuciq, was almost identical to that in Pristina.

She believes it is essential that both sides engage in dialogue and move towards the road to normalisation.

Von der Leyen said Serbia should start implementing the agreement and “not waste time”.

The implementation of the Ohrid Agreement envisions various steps that include, for example, the recognition of documents and institutions from Serbia, and on the other hand, goes with establishing association. This will pave the way for normalising relations between Serbia and Kosovo. It is a necessary prerequisite for the European path”, she said.

Vuciq said that for Serbia, the “recognition of Kosovo's independence is not a matter” and said that “is not difficult and I am not ashamed to say it now and before the president of the European Commission”.