German MP: No third power in Kosovo

German MP from the CDU ranks, Knut Abraham, says he was at first skeptical of the Franco-German initiative, but now estimates that significant progress has been made within the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia.

However, it also has criticism of the European Union, because it does not offer a clear way to integrate the two countries into the European bloc.

I was skeptical about the agreement between Kosovo and Serbia, and now I see that good progress has been made for normalising relations between the two countries. It's very positive that documents will be recognized, including passports, license plates and other documents. Also, the fourth article of the agreement made it clear that Serbia will not prevent Kosovo from membership in the International Organisation. While the European Union's mistake is that the parties have not been promised a clear way to integrate into the European family”, Abraham said.

On the other hand, Abraham says the time has come for Kosovo to start on the implementation of the association of Serb majority municipalities with limited competencies.

According to him, a third power will not be created in any form in Kosovo. Kosovo's Constitutional Court has made it clear that it will not allow a third power in Kosovo. However, it is up to Kosovo to start forming association with competencies limited to the Serb community in Kosovo, because that is why the parties agreed in 2013 with the Brussels agreement. On the other hand, Serbian President Aleksandar Vuciq, is now ahead of a real test because he has taken the commitment to honour the agreement despite not signing it”, he said.

The next meeting with Kosovo and Serbia will take place tomorrow in Brussels at the level of the top negotiators.