Kurti Says New Approach to Dialogue Needed

Albin Kurti (Photo: PrintScreen YouTube)

Kosovo Premier Albin Kurti said after meeting with representatives of the "Big Five" in Pristina on Oct. 21 that a new approach was needed to resume the dialogue on normalizing relations with Belgrade.

In his talks with the Western diplomats, Kurti said the "security of citizens and the state, borders and territory" were a priority to Pristina, and that "punishing" Serbia for the "terrorist attack" in the village of Banjska, northern Kosovo, on Sept. 24, was "key" to preventing similar incidents in the future.

"The meeting touched upon the normalization of relations between the Republic of Kosovo and Serbia, i.e. applying the Brussels' Basic Agreement and the Ohrid Annex for its implementation. The premier pointed out that qualitative reflection and a new approach were necessary. All five emissaries offered their new plan for what next, for which the premier thanked them. Discussions must continue intensively," Kurti's office said in a press release.

Earlier, Miroslav Lajcak, the European Union's special representative for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, confirmed that the Western diplomats had come to Pristina "with a plan" which they discussed with Kurti. He went on to say that he could not divulge any more details about the plan, but reiterated that the Community of Serb Municipalities needed to be established as soon as possible, and that without it Kosovo could not advance on its path to the European Union.