Escobar: Agreement implementation towards normalisation must start immediately

During a virtual discussion with journalists, Escobar said on Monday that the reconciliation reached on March 18th, in Ohrid, North Macedonia, is the “agreement on all aspects” and is legally binding, which will be part of the European route of both states.

The senior American official said it is important for Kosovo to start drafting its version for the establishment of the Serb majority municipalities' association.

Meanwhile, for Serbia, he said he should start to recognise Kosovo's state documents and symbols.

This agreement is the start of reconciliation between Kosovo and Serbia. There is much work that needs to be done beyond this” agreement, he said.

Escobar named the agreement as <x0 historical>” and said it would help European partners so that the parties can implement all points of the agreement.

Kosovo and Serbia agreed on February 27th on the agreement towards normalisation of the reports, or as the European proposal for normalisation is known.

On March 18th, the parties, under the European Union's mediation, reached reconciliation for the annex of implementation of the Agreement towards normalisation.

In the round of dialogue, held in Ohrid, North Macedonia, Escobar was also in the quality of observers.

The European proposal for normalisation, consisting of 11 articles, does not specifically mention mutual recognition. However, the document requires both countries to accept each other's documents and symbols, including passports, diplomas and license plates.

The European proposal also requires that the parties implement all agreements reached so far in the dialogue on normalising relations, including that of forming the majority Serb municipalities in Kosovo, which the government in Pristina has so far rejected, with the argument that it could jeopardise the functionality of the state.

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has argued that the agreement offers “recognition de facto”, meanwhile in terms of association, it is referred to Article 7, saying it is about a “an adequate level of self-awareness of the Serbian community” and “for self-rule”.

Meanwhile, Serbian President Aleksandar Vuciq has said that with this document, the formation of association “has become priority obligation”.

Kosovo and Serbia have reached two agreements for Association, in 2013 and 2015. The 2015 agreement, according to the Constitutional Court of Kosovo, is not in line with the highest judicial act of the state. However, points can be harmonised with the law.

The EU has recently handed over to the Government of Kosovo some European models for the rights of non-US communities, of which examples can be taken for the establishment of Association. The government in Pristina has confirmed that it is reviewing them.

Kosovo and Serbia hold dialogue under EU mediation, and with US support, since 2011. Kosovo wants the agreement to include mutual recognition in the end, and Serbia wants a compromise solution. /Rel