Ohrid Agreement Officially Part of the EU-Serbia Negotiating Framework

European union

The European Union’s foreign ministers passed in Brussels, on April 22, amendments to Chapter 35 in the accession negotiations with Serbia, related to Serbia’s obligations arising from last year’s agreements reached with Kosovo in Brussels and Ohrid.

Following the approval of the Council of Ministers, Chapter 35, concerning the normalization of relations with Kosovo, is now officially amended.

The text previously adopted by the EU ambassadors on April 15 says that the progress Serbia makes in its accession negotiations with the Union will be guided by its progress in preparations for the accession.

The document goes on to say that the progress will “be measures especially in terms of Serbia's continuous engagement in visible and sustainable improvements to relations with Kosovo, as well as other requirements contained in Point 23 of the negotiating framework."

The document, the Serbian Broadcasting Corporation (RTS) had access to, also says that Serbia should fully implement the obligations arising from the Agreement on the path to normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia, in accordance with the Implementation Annex agreed upon on March 18, 2023.

According to the document, the agenda of the Special Group on normalization of relations with Serbia will be amended accordingly to include Pristina’s obligations arising from the Agreement.