International Crisis Group: All Parties to Seek Mutual Recognition Between Serbia, Kosovo

Brussels

All parties involved in a dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo should seek an agreement leading to mutual recognition between the two countries, and members of the European Union (EU) should signal support to any agreement consistent with the international law and human rights, the International Crisis Group (ICC) said in its new report, Relaunching the Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue, released on Jan. 25.

With a note that efforts to resolve the long-standing dispute "have foundered," the ICC argues that EU-led talks might have resolved some technical issues, but essential political questions remained unaddressed, the Radio Free Europe reported.

The think tank also said that Washington’s mediation effort also fell apart, as the then Kosovo president, Hashim Thaci, had been charged with war crimes three days ahead of a meeting at the White House.

"Until the dispute is resolved, both parties will be barred from the EU, and Kosovo from the U.N, and NATO as well," the international non-governmental initiative for conflict resolution recalls.