Lajcak for implementation of the Kosovo-Serbia agreement: We are preparing the ground for rapid progress soon after elections

The implementation of the Agreement on the Road to normalising relations between Kosovo and Serbia, as well as modernising the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), should be among the priorities in the region, European Union Special Envoy (BE) said on Friday for dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade and other issues of the Western Balkans, Miroslav Lajcak.

Speaking Friday at Forum 2 BS in Montenegro's Budva, Lajcak said relations between Kosovo and Serbia pose the biggest strategic challenge in the region, because, according to him, they influence regional co-operation and European integration.

He recalled that Kosovo and Serbia reached agreements early last year on the road to normalisation of relations, stressing that today, 18 months later, there is no visible progress in implementing it.

Kosovo insists that this agreement be signed first, even though the EU says it is mandatory despite the signing, while Serbia has expressed reservations for its full implementation.

“We see efforts by the Government of Kosovo to achieve rule of law in northern Kosovo. All support the rule of law, but unfortunately, it has been done in a way that promotes opposition from the international community and frustration from the local community. That's why we have more tension”, Lajcak said.

He referred to Kosovo authorities' recent actions for closing Serb parallel institutions in Serb-run northern Kosovo.

I ask the question: what is the alternative to this confrontation, tension? Who benefits? Of course not citizens, nor Kosovo, Serbia and the region. So we know what to do, and now the question is, why not do this?

Since Lajcak has extended the mandate until January 2025, one of the questions has been whether he expects progress in relations between Kosovo and Serbia by then.

“In Kosovo are coming elections, and from political experience I know that major changes can rarely be expected before the elections”, Lajcak replied.

However, we are preparing the ground for rapid progress immediately after the” elections, he added.

Kosovo to hold parliamentary elections in February next year

One of the topics discussed at the forum on Friday was the armed attack on the Kosovo Police last year in Banjska, which the European envoy said had a very damaging effect on dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina.

“The EU was very clear: those responsible for this must take responsibility. And we know who these people are, some of them accepted responsibility and it's a pity that we don't see that responsibility”, Lajcak said.

He added that the EU will continue to insist on responsibility, because cases like Banjska should not go unpunished to those responsible.

On September 24th, 2023, an armed group of Serbs attacked Kosovo police and killed police officer Africa Bunnjak. Three Serb attackers were killed in the shootout.

The responsibility for the attack took place by Milan Radoicic, former deputy chairman of the Serbian List, the largest Serb party in Kosovo, which enjoys the support of official Belgrade. It is impossible for Kosovo authorities and is found in Serbia.

The Kosovo prosecution filed charges against Radojici and 44 others for the attack on Banjska, three of whom appeared before the court last week, while the rest are on the run.

Bosnian Constitution

Bosnia received candidate status for the European Union (BE) and was invited to begin membership negotiations, which is a major step for the EU, but needs an adequate response from BiH, Lajcak said.

The fundamental question is how to modernise the Constitution because [the agreement] Dayton is not in line with European values and integration. I think this should be the priority of politicians how to preserve BiH's multinational nature without ethnic discrimination and adapt. The constitution to move forward”, Lajcak said.

Bosnia has candidate status from December 15th 2022.

Asked about foreign influences in BiH, particularly those Russian and Hungarian, Lajcak replied that the “integration process is in the hands of the EU” and that Hungary supports the integration of the Western Balkans.

“A state does not set the criteria, but a consensus decision of the Council of Europe”, Lajcak said.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is one of the few EU leaders to meet regularly with Milorad Dodik, the pro-prorus president of the Bosnian Serb entity, Republika Srpska, who is sanctioned by the United States.

The Hungarian government vetoed EU sanctions against Dodik, who was sanctioned by the US and Britain due to allegations of corruption and threats to Bosnia and Herzegovina's stability and territorial integrity.