European Union Foreign Minister Josep Borrell confirmed that the special envoy for dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak, and the United States envoy to the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobarin will visit Kosovo and Serbia next week.

During a joint press conference in Brussels with the Prime Minister of Serbia, Ana Bernabic, Borrell said that the purpose of this visit will be the commitment to continue the dialogue for the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia.

 

Borrell blamed officials in Pristina for the stalemate in the dialogue process.

 

“I want to make it clear to Kosovo that dialogue does not take place because of dialogue, but because it is key to progress on the European path. Together with Lajçak we will continue to prepare the next meeting, but this will happen only if both parties agree on positive and concrete results. That is why Lajçak and I will continue to engage with the parties, especially with Kosovo, which is proving more unwillingness to sit at the table “, said Borrell.

 

Borrell reiterated his call for the implementation of all agreements reached so far in the dialogue mediated by the European bloc.

The dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia started in 2011. The last round of high-level dialogue between the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, and the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic was held in July 2021.

 

Meanwhile, a meeting of the Stabilization and Association Council between Serbia and the EU was held in Brussels on Tuesday.

After this meeting, the EU reiterated the position that for Serbia, progress in the European integration process depends on the normalization of relations with Kosovo and the speed of the reform process, especially in the field of rule of law.

 

Borrel also called for strengthening co-operation in the Western Balkans region and reiterated that there is no place in Europe for the glorification of war criminals or the denial of genocide.

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Bernabic said that for her country, regional cooperation is part of the European path.

/Klara Ruci/