Lajcak: Agreement Possible in a Few Months if Belgrade and Pristina Have Political Will

Miroslav Lajcak(BETAPHOTO/MILAN OBRADOVIC/DS)

The EU's envoy for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak, said on April 12 that an agreement was "technically absolutely achievable in a matter of months, if the two sides want it... have political will." He added that the Union member states expected the dialogue to resume without delay and rapid progress to be made in the negotiations on a comprehensive agreement.

In an interview with BETA, Lajcak underscored that for that to happen the leaders in both Pristina and Belgrade had to "invest efforts and political capital," have political will and courage, as well as "a mandate from the people, and that means trust, support and the understanding of their people for the matters being negotiated and for the difficult decisions that lie ahead."

"However," the EU envoy pointed out, "the matters that are discussed, the pace and progress depend on the will of the two sides, while the EU is there to guarantee that all that an agreement is reached on will be in line with international law, and the values and norms of the EU."

The EU member states expect the talks to continue without delay and progress quickly toward an agreement, with simultaneous respect for and implementation of all the agreements reached so far, said Lajcak and underlined that the agreement must find durable solutions to open issues and contribute to the stability of the entire Western Balkans.