Kurti-Vucciq meeting, Chollet expects implementation of past agreements, including Association

US State Department senior adviser Derek Chollet has told Serbian President Aleksandar Vuciq on Sunday that the United States fully supports the European Union's proposal for normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia.

Through a telephone conversation, Chollet has told Vuciqi he expects the February 27th meeting with Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti in Brussels to be constructive, and with apparent progress towards the agreement.

Kurti and Vuciq will meet in Brussels, within the dialogue the European Union is mediating.

Chollet has also spoken of the need to implement agreements signed in the past, in the context of dialogue, including the establishment of the Association of Major Serb municipalities in Kosovo.

Chollet also told Kurt the day before that it is now time to discuss Association.

Kosovo and Serbia have reached agreement on 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.

Serbia wants Kosovo to implement the agreements reached, but the Kosovo government has been declared against a single-ethnic association.

Vuciq has been quoted as saying that he expects a very difficult meeting, but that Serbia is committed to peace and stability in the region, and that in this context, he is willing to work on the concept and implementation of the EU plan.

The EU's proposal is expected to be part of the Kurti-Wuciq meeting on Monday, plus discussion on agreements reached so far.

On February 26th, the three European leaders -- French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Melon -- have told Kurt through a letter that they have welcomed his decision to accept the European Union's proposal for normalisation of relations, and have cited the great need for creating conditions towards finalisation and implementation.

Known in public as the Franco-German plan, the EU's proposal for normalising relations between Kosovo and Serbia is said to serve as the way towards the final agreement between the two countries.

Both Kosovo and Serbia have accepted the plan, but it has never been presented in public.

In a draft that has seen Radio Free Europe, it does not specifically mention recognition, but sets forth equal rights for Kosovo and Serbia, respect for territorial integrity, the invisibility of borders, recognition of state symbols and a special arrangement for the Serb community in Kosovo.

Citing the importance of implementing agreements and achieving compatibility, Macron, Scholz and Mellon, they have said they are convinced that such progress benefits citizens, as well as advances Kosovo's path towards European integration.

Kosovo and Serbia have started negotiations mediated by the European Union in 2011.

During this time 33 agreements have been signed, but not all have been implemented.

For now, both countries have different goals for the final agreement.

Kosovo insists on mutual recognition, Serbia seeks compromise solutions. / REL/