Merkel And Vucic Discuss Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue, Region, Corona Virus, Cooperation

Vucic

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and German Chancellor Angela Merkel advocate the prompt resumption of the dialogue for reaching a comprehensive agreement on the full normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina, it was announced on March 18 after their conversation via a video-link.

According to the joint statement of the Serbian and German sides, the German chancellor welcomed the Serbian president's readiness for the start of the dialogue about trade and non-customs barriers between, as she said, Serbia and Kosovo, with EU mediation.

Merkel also welcomed Serbia's readiness for the implementation of the Brussels agreement on the integrated managing of the administrative line, the first step in which would be the opening of the Merdare station, wherein President Vucic insisted on the full respect and implementation of all provisions of the Brussels agreement, the statement reads.

Vucic stated that he would take all the necessary steps with the aim of the successful resumption of dialogue and avoiding of developments that would degrade relations between Belgrade and Pristina, in order to create a constructive and open atmosphere for negotiations.

He also told the chancellor that he was grateful to Germany and for her personal attention and care for Serbia and countries of the Western Balkans. Besides the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and the import tariffs on goods from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Merkel and Vucic also discussed bilateral and economic relations, the process of Serbia's association with the EU and reforms on that path, the situation in the region and challenges in the suppression of the outbreak of COVID-19.