The last round of dialogue on normalizing relations between Kosovo and Serbia in Brussels was closed without progress. Kosovo demanded full implementation of the Ohrid Agreement, while Serbia insisted that the issue of the Association of Serb Majority Municipalities be initially implemented.
Kosovo’s chief negotiator, Besnik Bislimi, said he had requested the commencement of the commission for the missing, but Serbia refused.
“In the first point, we unfortunately failed to carry out our mission, that is, the establishment of the Missing Commission because Serbia withdrew from the reference topics agreement, which we ended at the end of December last year, saying that they must once again intervene in the Dolument, which has not been accepted by our side nor by Brussels or Brussels”Bislimi said.
According to Bislim, Serbia sought to change the terms of reference for the Commission, which was not accepted by the Kosovo side and the European Union. The Commission on Missing is part of the joint agreement that Kosovo and Serbia agreed in 2023.
Bislimi said Serbia is refusing to discuss the basic agreement and is demanding that the Association be a prerequisite for every other step.
The Ohrid Agreement, which contains 11 articles, provides for self -management for the Serbian community, recognition of state symbols and prohibition of blocking Kosovo’s membership in international organizations.
Although the agreement is not signed, the EU considers it binding on both sides. Bislimi emphasized that Serbia interrupted talks when discussing blocking the distribution of vehicles to farmers in the Presevo Valley.
The situation remains tense and without a close solution, while the dialogue continues with major obstacles. The parties seem away from a final agreement and normalization of relations remains a major challenge for the region.
