The first round of the tripartite meeting between the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, and the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, with the mediation of the European Union, has ended in Brussels.
As Radio Free Europe learns, bilateral meetings are being held in Brussels between the leaders of Kosovo and Serbia with the mediators of the EU, in order for the leaders to meet again during the day.
The United States envoy for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, also arrived at the EU building where the dialogue is taking place.
We remind you that the American side does not participate in the dialogue, but the USA fully supports the efforts of the EU in the process of normalizing relations between Serbia and Kosovo.
Meanwhile, the High Representative of the European Union, Josep Borrell, earlier on August 18 said that it is time for Kosovo and Serbia to move towards the full normalization of relations, as the parties are meeting in Brussels in the new round of dialogue.
“The recent tensions in the north of Kosovo have proven again that it is time to move towards full normalization. I expect both leaders to be flexible and find common ground,” Borrell wrote on Twitter.
This reaction of his came after he held separate meetings with the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, and with the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, which was followed by the tripartite meeting.
The August 18 meeting marks the third time that the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, and the Serbian President, Aleksandar Vucic, are negotiating in Brussels, within the dialogue mediated by the European Union.
Meanwhile, Serbian President Vucic said that he has hope that a solution will be reached, but added that he is “skeptical”.
After this tripartite meeting, there may be further bilateral meetings, as needed.
On the official website of the European Union, it was announced earlier that the tripartite meeting will focus on the way forward in dialogue and reaching a comprehensive agreement on the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia.
According to the announcement, current issues will be addressed during the meeting and the aim will be to alleviate tensions between the parties.
Kurti and Vucic met twice last year, but without any concrete results.
Thursday’s meeting was requested by the chief diplomat of the European Union, Josep Borrell, after the increase in tensions in the north of Kosovo on July 31.
While meetings are being held in Brussels, in North Mitrovica inhabited by a majority of Serbs, some graffiti have been seen with the message “Don’t worry! We are here! We are waiting!”. These graffiti are signed by the “Northern Brigade”.
