EC spokeswoman: Without normalisation of reports, Kosovo, Serbia risk losing major chances

So says European Commission spokeswoman Ana Pisonero Hernandez in an answer.

It says that to benefit from the new EU financial instrument, Kosovo and Serbia have normalisation of relations as additional conditions compared to the overall conditions other countries have.

Under the decision adopted, in order for these two countries to benefit from the Development Plan, they must engage constructively “with measurable progress and tangible results” in normalising their relations, with the goal of fully implementing all obligations that come out of the agreement on the road to normalisation and the annex of implementation, as well as all previous agreements on dialogue and joining negotiations on the comprehensive normalisation of relations.

“in the case of Kosovo and Serbia will also have a general precondition for Serbia and Kosovo to engage constructively in normalising their relations with the aim of fully implementing all their respective obligations stemming from the Road to Normalisation Agreement and its obligations. Implementation of the Anex and all the former Dialogue Agreements and involvement in negotiations on the comprehensive Agreement for normalisation of relations. The normalisation of relations is an essential condition on the European path of both sides. Both sides risk losing significant opportunities in the absence of progress”, Pisonero has declared.

She says the 6 billion-euro EU Growth Plan for six Western Balkan partners represents a comprehensive EU bid to improve their socio-economic situation, stressing that this plan is not an alternative to EU enlargement, but an offer that will meet and accelerate the EU aspirations membership process.