Agreement between Serbia and Kosovo on the normalization of relations

by Fatos ByTC

OHRID, North Macedonia (Reuters) – Serbia and Kosovo have reached an agreement to implement a plan to normalize relations backed by the European Union (EU), Kosovo’s premier said on Saturday. European Diplomacy, Josep Borrell.

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic have agreed to implement the accord to restore ties between Serbia and their former province of Kosovo, which they agreed to without signing last month.

The two leaders spoke with Josep Borrell before attending a meeting under the auspices of the European Union in the lakeside city of Ohrid in northern Macedonia.

“Serbia and Kosovo have agreed on an addendum on the implementation of the agreement with a view to normalizing their relations,” Josep Borrell told reporters after the meeting.

However, the Serbian President indicated during a press conference that disagreements remained on some points.

Kosovo’s prime minister said in a separate press conference that “(it) was a real recognition between Kosovo and Serbia”, with Belgrade yet to sign the agreement.

Josep Borrell explained that the EU will now strongly demand that both sides fulfill their obligations if they want to join the union, warning that they will face consequences if they do not.

(With contributions from Sabine Siebold, Ivana Sekulrac and Andrew Gray; French edition by Camille Renaud)