Borrell: EU Expecting Implementation of All Belgrade-Pristina Agreements  

Josep Borrell (BetaPhoto / European Council / Zucchi-Enzo)

EU is expecting from Kosovo and Serbia to fully implement all the agreements achieved during the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and to constructively engage in ensuring a swift progress towards full normalization of relations, EU High Representative Josep Borrell has said in Brussels.

Summarizing a debate of EU foreign ministers on the Western Balkans held on Nov. 15, Borrell said the EU was hoping to see a new round of the dialogue at the highest level held by the end of 2021, to be attended by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo Premier Albin Kurti. Borrell added that it was at least his “goal and a call to both leaders.”

The EU foreign ministers reviewed “the Document for the debate on the Western Balkans,” prepared by the European External Action Service (EEAS), headed by Borrell.

The document, which BETA has seen, warns that the political situation in the Western Balkans “is burdened with growing challenges” accompanied with deterioration of serious political crisis and messages sowing the seeds of discord in Bosnia and Herzegovina, tension in Kosovo’s north, and divisions of political parties in Montenegro “which have been shaking and paralyzing the political system” in the country.

The document also states that “the atmosphere surrounding the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue is still full of challenges,” and that no progress has been made in the last few months. The document, which was discussed by the EU foreign minister without adoption of a conclusion, focuses on the introduction of “open issues in the dialogue” towards achieving normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina.