The agreement on the normalization of relations between Kosova and Serbia is binding in any way, and its full implementation will help the region to heal the most divisive conflict frozen in the Western Balkans since 1999. This is what the envoy of the states of united for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, in an interview for the MINA news agency. He called the agreement a historic step in the relations between the two countries.

“I want to tell you that the process is a historical development in the relations between Serbia and Kosova. A normalization agreement, on European terms, that creates a peaceful, stable and predictable relationship between two hostile neighbors is a major achievement. It took a lot of political courage from President Vucic and Prime Minister Kurti to reach that agreement. And by the way, it is a legally binding obligation. I hear people say they didn’t sign, and therefore it’s not legal. It’s legal in every way.”

While mentioning the obligations that each party must fulfill within the framework of the agreement, the senior American official said that he “sees no reason” that an agreement on the remaining issues should not be reached by the end of the summer.

“From the Serbian side, there are some elements that need to be completed in terms of recognizing drivers’ licenses, license plates, IDs and some other things. And Kosova is expected to make the association of Serbian municipalities. Sorry, it’s not an expectation, it’s an obligation. And so we want to see that process going as quickly as possible. I don’t see any reason why we can’t finish it by the end of the summer.”

/k.s/