Borrell: Belgrade-Pristina dialogue their pass to European future

JOHN THYS / POOL / AFP

It has to be clear that Belgrade – Pristina dialogue on the normalisation of relations and its outcome is the pass for the European future for both sides, Josep Borrell, the European Union Commissioner for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, has said on Tuesday ahead of the first high-level meeting between Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti in Brussels after 18 months.

As scheduled, Vucic and Borrell meeting will open the day, followed by Borrell – Kurti talks, and end in a trilateral session participated by Borrell, Vucic, Kurti, and the EU special envoy the dialogue Miroslav Lajčák who will then address the media.

Borrell said he was glad the dialogue resumed and that it was good it happened while US President Joseph Biden was in Brussels.

„I encourage both sides to continue the talks without delay and to focus on achieving result despite the difficulties. We know the dialogue won’t be easy, but the process and sincere engagement of both sides are necessary for the benefit of Serbia’s and Kosovo’s people,“ Borrell said.

He added that he and the EU were committed to fast progress and leaving the past behind.

Borrell said the dialogue was a chance for the entire region to secure long-lasting stability and economic progress, which, according to him, was impossible without Belgrade – Pristina agreement.

On Monday, Vucic said he expected pressure on Serbia to recognise Kosovo’s independence but promised not to yield to it.

On the other hand, Pristina’s officials maintain that no deal was possible without the recognition, war reparation and investigation into missing persons during the 1998-1999 war in Kosovo between local Albanians and Belgarde forces.