Acting First Deputy Prime Minister Besnik Bislimi met today with the EU Envoy for the Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue, Peter Sorensen. The two discussed the way forward toward the full implementation of the Basic Agreement and the Ohrid Implementation Annex.

Bislimi stressed the urgent need to address the issue of around 1,600 people missing due to war violence. He said the Joint Commission must begin work soon, as both sides had already agreed on its establishment in December 2024.

He also raised concern over Serbia’s continued blockade of funds meant for farmers in the Presheva Valley. According to Bislimi, Serbia again refused to discuss this matter during last month’s meeting in Brussels.

Bislimi highlighted the ongoing damage caused by Serbia’s obstruction of electricity interconnection lines. He said this blockade increases transmission costs not only for Kosovo but for the entire region. He also underlined the need for the EU to lift all remaining measures imposed on Kosovo.

The deputy prime minister blamed the Serbian side for delaying the creation of the commission on missing persons. “It seems Serbia has withdrawn from the agreed terms of reference finalized in December last year. They now want to reopen the document, which neither Brussels nor we accepted,” Bislimi said.

He noted there were signs of internal disagreement within the Serbian team. “Some members appeared ready to move forward, but others blocked the process,” he added.

Bislimi confirmed that the meeting also covered Serbia’s ongoing suspension of fund distribution to farmers in the Presheva Valley.

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