Biselim for the Basic Agreement with Serbia: We understand that formal recognition is there, that's Kosovo's big launch.

Deputy Prime Minister Besnik Bislimi has said Kosovo made a major concession to the recent agreement with Serbia, not being formal recognition part of it.

He said Serbia has agreed to treat Kosovo as an equal sovereign member and that it has recognised its territorial integrity, but he has accused Serbia of violating it.

Serbia has agreed with the text of the Agreement, and its full implementation leads to a new and more stable situation than we now have. With the Basic Agreement (February 27th) Serbia has agreed to treat Kosovo as an equal sovereign member, has recognised our territorial integrity, has agreed to maintain normal relations as with all other neighbours, and to support Kosovo's membership in international organisations. We understand that formal recognition is not there, and that was a major concession of Kosovo. It is important that we build stable relations as equal members of the international community”, Bislimi told the Serbian newspaper “Danas”.

Bislimi said such major decisions should be taken by bold leaders and that he hopes Serbia's leadership will find strength to implement the Basic Agreement in full.

Kosovo has been ready since the beginning and is still, to do its part. We are willing to review and further improve the institutional structure for Kosovo Serbs within the constitutional framework, but it must be clear that this is part of Kosovo's jurisdiction, which Serbia recognises, respects and does not want to undermine”.

Kosovo's chief negotiator was also asked about where the dialogue is expected to go.

“Dialogue is multiplanetary, but in our opinion it should focus on two main pillars, namely implementation of the basic agreement and talks on full normalisation of relations. Kosovo supported the basic agreement and offered its signature. The other side refused to sign and is reconfirming the position every day that it did not accept the plan, but is also working hard on violating its provisions. The best strategy to openly prevent its implementation is through escalation and Serbia is very successful in this. Serbia has not only redirected Brussels' dialogue from normalisation to crisis management, but has also managed to promote the EU from a facilitator to a negotiator. The EU statement of June 3rd, along with the measures later imposed, confirms this”, Bislim said.