EU is not missing any time after reaching Ohrid Agreement, is calling for launch of first implementation steps

The meeting between Kosovo's top negotiators, Besnik Bislimi and Serbia, Petar Petkov, is confirmed for April 4th by EU spokesman Peter Stano. This is the first meeting since March 18th, when leaders of both countries agreed to implement the Western-backed plan. What I can say right now is that a meeting of the chief negotiators will take place next week in Brussels.

They are invited by the European Union mediator to advance all that has been achieved in Ohrid and begin taking the first steps towards implementation. The EU expects Kosovo and Serbia to start implementing the agreement reached in Ohrid” as soon as possible, spokesman Peter Stano said. According to him, the “both sides must continue with rapid and confidential implementation”.

That's what we're working on, Peter Stano said. “We have started on our side to function the first steps, which means that we begin to adjust the common position of the European Union when it comes to chapter 35 of the membership negotiations for Serbia and in the case of Kosovo”, spokesman Stano said.

Realising Agreements Reached

The European proposal, or what was previously known as the Franco-German plan for which Kosovo and Serbia agreed on February 27th in Brussels and on March 18th in Ohrid for its implementation, envisions recognition of documents and symbols, respect for each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, so that the parties do not interfere with integration processes, but do not seek mutual recognition. The plan also envisions the fulfillment of all previously reached agreements, including the one for the Association of Serb-run municipalities in Kosovo.

France and Germany, meanwhile, have called on Kosovo and Serbia to implement the normalisation agreement by these countries' ambassadors in Kosovo. France's Ambassador Olivier Guerot said he expects Kosovo's “government to start talks on forming the Association of Serb Majorities”, while, from Serbia's leader “, expects him to comply with the commitments he has made and that otherwise there will be consequences for both sides”. The “is very early to say, what the consequences will be and now we need to focus on the benefits”, Guert said, during a debate at a news centre in Caglavica, where the Kosovo-Serbia agreement was debated.

Germany's Ambassador Jörn Rohde, who was part of the debate, also voiced optimism about implementing the agreement. “He said that Kosovo should respect the part dealing with self-awareness of the Serb community in Kosovo, meanwhile, Serbia should not block Kosovo's membership in international organisations. This agreement will facilitate the lives of ordinary citizens, especially members of the Serb community living in northern Kosovo”, the German ambassador said.

Reactions after incidents in the north

Meanwhile in northern Kosovo, incidents continue. According to police, over the past two days, unknown persons set fire to several Serbian cars carrying license plates of the Republic of Kosovo with the initials (RKS). This has happened before. Germany's ambassador to Kosovo, in his reaction, said “rape is never the option”. ” I am fully confident that Kosovo authorities will investigate the cases fully and bring those responsible to justice”, Rohde said. The head of the EU office in Kosovo, Thomas Szunyog, said the “damage to private property that has occurred over the past two days is aimed at intimidating the local population”. This is unacceptable and must be condemned by all relevant actors”, Szunyog said.

This appeal was joined by Great Britain's Ambassador Nicholas Abbott, and by other ambassadors of the QUINT countries. All serious political actors must condemn these acts of violence and the risks they pose for stability and tranquillity. Quick investigations into this criminality are necessary and must be carried out with sensitivity and seriousness”, Ambassador Abbott said.

The successive international community makes efforts for Kosovo and Serbia to legalise relations through a comprehensive deal. The application of the agreement that Kosovo and Serbia agreed to at the March 18th meeting in Ohrid in Macedonia was not signed, and this puzzled whether the agreement could be handled as legally binding. The European Union and the United States say that despite this agreement not signed by the parties, it is the legal obligation.

But the European Union has stressed, that this agreement is legally binding and that it will become an integral part of the process of integration of Serbia and Kosovo into the European Union. Authorities in Kosovo have called on the international community to condemn Serbia's behaviour, which, according to the Kosovo prime minister, is refusing to sign the reconciliation reached in Ohrid, which Prime Minister Kurti says, “was willing to sign”. Serbian President Aleksandar Vuciq has declared earlier that Serbia will implement the agreement, despite parts dealing with the possibility of Kosovo's membership in the United Nations. (DW)