The EU’s top diplomat Josep Borrell has announced an agreement on the freedom of movement between Belgrade and Pristina
Serbia and Kosovo are now an “agreement on freedom of movement” following weeks of tensions, the EU’s top diplomat Josep Borrell said on Saturday, adding that he was “happy to announce” the deal between Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo’s prime minister Albin Kurti.
Following the last week’s meeting between the two leaders in Brussels and “intense follow-up efforts in Pristina and Belgrade,”Borrell released a statement saying that Serbia and Kosovo had reached an agreement to remove Kosovo ID holders from entry or exit, while Kosovo also agreed not to introduce them.
According to the EU statement, Serbs in Kosovo’s northern region will be allowed to use their ID cards and travel freely between Serbians and Kosovo citizens. “received guarantees from Prime Minister Kurti to this end.”
Borrell paid tribute to the progress by stating that “we found a European solution that facilitates travel between Kosovo and Serbia.” He also particularly lauded Vucic’s actions by saying that the Serbian president “showed responsibility and leadership today.”Senior EU diplomat thanked also the US “for their support to the EU-facilitated dialogue,”Call it “an example of excellent practical EU-US cooperation.”
Borrell acknowledged that “the problem with the license plates”remained unresolved and the leader of Serbia and Kosovo was urged to resolve it. “continue showing pragmatism and constructiveness”In this area, too. He stated that “today is a very good day.”
Belgrade seemingly did not share Brussels’ joyful sentiment. Vucic, speaking to Serbians on Saturday, described the talks. “Albanians from Kosovo”As “very unsuccessful, extremely difficult,”Add that “in the end we came to the point that we do not agree on anything.”
Serbia’s leader insists that “mutual recognition”Belgrade will always be the priority “cannot forget that Kosovo is part of Serbia.”He stated that Brussels officials waste their time and money when they believe they could facilitate such an arrangement.
Vucic did confirm that Serbia would accept Kosovo’s IDs when it comesTo travel but would only do so “for practical reasons,” to “enable freedom of movement.”This is a great step “cannot be interpreted as recognition of the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo, nor does it prejudice sovereignty,”He added.
Important is this “Serbs from Kosovo and Metohija can move and enter and leave the territory of Kosovo and Metohija freely,”Vucic added that Belgrade asks “for guarantees from EU, we ask that every Serb from the north of Kosovo and Metohija can enter the territory of Kosovo and Metohija with Serbian documents, and that they can leave whenever they want.”
While we always want to reach a compromise, it has never happened. Kurti feels that they can convince the Serbian people with their propaganda to end their Serbian rule.
This development occurred just a day after Gabriel Escobar (US envoy to the Balkans), called for Serbian recognition of Kosovo, and offered prosperity in the EU to both countries instead. Vucic replied that he wasn’t surprised to hear such a statement from an American diplomat.
“Don’t forget that he represents American politics. Is this what you would expect?!”On Saturday, the president of Serbia stated that he had added: “they [the US] tell us this for 23 years!”
[ad_2]
