Kosovo and Serbia took the first step towards normalization

EU High Representative for Foreign Relations and Security Policy Borrell, European Union (EU) High Representative for Foreign Relations and Security Policy Josep Borrell made a statement on his Twitter account regarding the negotiations initiated by the representatives of Kosovo and Serbia on the implementation of the Ohrid Agreement in Brussels yesterday. Announcing that the chief negotiators of the parties reached an agreement on the text of the declaration regarding the unknown persons at the meeting held yesterday, Borrell described this as the "first step" towards normalization. Borrell stated that he will hold a meeting for the approval of the text by the leaders.

CALL FOR CONDITION

According to the news in Anadolu, Borrell reminded that Serbia and Kosovo have made a commitment on the road to normalization and the annex of the agreement, "The EU expects both of them to fulfill all their obligations and to start implementation as soon as possible. The parties will avoid any escalation. Translation of commitments to European roads continues." 

SERBIA-KOSOVO RELATIONS

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic agreed on an agreement that would normalize relations between the two countries in the negotiations that lasted for about 12 hours in Ohrid, North Macedonia on March 18, under the mediation of the EU.

The 11-point agreement that will normalize relations between Kosovo and Serbia, which was announced to the public, does not force Serbia to recognize Kosovo's independence, but requires both countries to recognize each other's official documents and symbols, including passports, diplomas and license plates. Kosovo is demanded to establish a "Union of Serbian Municipalities" that will have self-government rights in settlements where mostly Serbs live in the country.

Although Kosovo is recognized as an independent state by 117 countries, it is described as one of the "frozen conflict zones of Europe" due to the ongoing ethnic tensions in its north and its inability to become a member of the United Nations.

Serbia considers Kosovo, which declared its independence unilaterally in 2008, as its territory.

Serbia and Kosovo, which periodically clash, are trying to find a common way for the normalization of relations and eventually for the two countries to recognize each other, within the scope of the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue Process initiated in 2011 under EU mediation.Kosovo and Serbia took the first step towards normalization.

(AA)