Stano: Kosovo-Serbia normalisation agreement implementation to be discussed at leadership meeting

European Union spokesman Peter Stano warned on Wednesday that a high-level meeting between Kosovo and Serbia leaders is needed to discuss implementing the agreement on normalising relations between the two neighbouring countries.

He, however, did not show when such a meeting could occur under bloc mediation

“The implementation of the agreement on the road to normalisation, as well as the additional demands for formalisation, need to be addressed by leaders during the next summit at a high level, within the” dialogue.Stano said.

Kosovo and Serbia reached the Base Agreement in Brussels in February 2023, meanwhile on March 18th in Ohrid, agreed to the Anex for implementation of this agreement.

The EU warned earlier this week that it will increase pressure on both countries for implementation of this agreement.

The agreement, among other things, requires good neighbourly relations, mutual recognition of documents and state symbols, as well as mutual respect of sovereignty and territorial integrity. It also requires that the parties not hinder each other from integration processes, but does not require mutual recognition.

Yesterday, Kosovo's chief negotiator, Besnik Bislimi and Serbia's Petar Petkov, met with the mediation of special EU representative Miroslav Lajcak, where they discussed this agreement and the issue of the Serbian dinar in particular.

Bislimi said Petkovic was declared at the meeting that Serbia cannot implement parts of the agreement concerning Kosovo's status, territorial integrity, or its membership in the United Nations and its agencies.

Kosovo again insisted on signing the agreement, or finding another form of its formalisation. But Serbia refuses to sign such agreements.

Meanwhile, Stano said the EU expects discussions to continue next week to find a solution to the Serbian dinar issue, following the Kosovo Central Bank's decision that only the euro will be the official currency.

Stano said Tuesday's “meeting was important to establish the facts and clear up some” issues.

The “Piles agreed to continue discussions on the issue on Monday on March 25th, in order to discuss concrete proposals and find a short-term solution”, he added.

Bislimi said after the meeting that Kosovo and Serbia, until 22 March, will submit their proposals for the use of the Serbian dinar in Kosovo, while next week they will meet again in Brussels for the discussion of options.

It was the first time Kosovo Government officials participated in such talks since Kosovo, with a Central Bank regulation coming into force on February 1st, banned the use of the Serbian dinar, making the euro a single means of payment.

The issue, except that it angered Serbia, sparked differences even between the Government of Kosovo and the international community, as the Serb community in Kosovo has for years received payment in dinars from Serbia's budget.

Western diplomats urged Kosovo to suspend the regulation, to give affected citizens time to adapt to the new practice. /REL

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After meeting in Brussels with Lajcak and Petkov, Hovenier today goes to Besnik Bislim office