EU envoy: Kurti-Vučić meeting only when ready for concrete results

A new high-level meeting between Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Serbia's President Aleksandar Vučić will only be organized when both leaders are prepared to achieve concrete results, according to the EU's special envoy for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, Peter Sorensen.

In his first written interview with a Kosovo media outlet, Sorensen assessed that the implementation of obligations from the 2023 "Agreement on the Path to Normalization" is "significantly below the level" agreed upon by Belgrade and Pristina. He stressed that implementation is not optional and that the agreement, along with its annex, remains legally binding for both parties as part of their European path.

Sorensen dismissed the idea of one side waiting for the other to act, stating, "It's not about who makes the first move. Neither side should wait for the other." He outlined Kosovo's obligation to immediately begin negotiations on concrete arrangements and guarantees for the self-governance of the Serb community, while Serbia has parallel obligations, including not opposing Kosovo's membership in international organizations and accepting Kosovo's documents and symbols. He noted that both sides have fallen behind on these commitments.

Regarding the return of Serb judges and prosecutors to Kosovo's institutions, Sorensen reiterated the EU's consistent call for their reintegration in line with Kosovo's legislation and dialogue agreements. While the EU welcomed the withdrawal of resignations by Serb judges and prosecutors on July 15, it expressed concern over the subsequent acceptance of these resignations, deeming it incompatible with Kosovo's legislation and the rule of law.

Sorensen also commented on Kosovo's political situation, acknowledging that a prolonged technical mandate for the government can limit decision-making. However, he emphasized that the obligations stemming from agreements remain valid regardless of electoral processes or the formation of new authorities in Pristina or Belgrade. He concluded by stating that there is no place in Europe for rhetoric that justifies or relativizes ethnic cleansing, as such statements insult victims and contradict the European path.

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Evropska unija dosledno poziva Kosovo da omogući njihovu reintegraciju u skladu sa kosovskim zakonodavstvom i sporazumima postignutim u dijalogu, uključujući Briselski sporazum iz 2013. i Sporazum o pravosuđu iz 2015. godine.