French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on September 4 that the full normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia is essential for the Western Balkans.
They said they have assigned their foreign policy and security advisers, Jens Plettner and Emmanuel Beaune, to provide direct support to the EU’s special representative for dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak, the Serbian Presidency announced on September 4. Beta news agency.
Macron and Scholz said in a joint letter addressed to the president of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, that in light of the Russian aggression against Ukraine, stronger efforts should be made to make the European perspective of the Western Balkan countries a reality.
“The complete normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia is essential for the Western Balkans,” the letter states.
Macron and Scholz have called on Vučić to show maximum determination and willingness to take difficult decisions, which lead to progress in the dialogue between the two countries.
“Recent tensions have shown that constructive steps are urgently needed, both on a practical and political level,” the letter states.
“We suggest that our advisers, together with Miroslav Lajcak, visit Kosovo and Serbia, to examine the possibilities to advance the process”, says the letter addressed to Vucic.
On August 27, Kosovo and Serbia have agreed to waive the issue of entry-exit documents for citizens of both countries.
Kosovo and Serbia have an agreement on free movement since 2011.
Serbia implemented it immediately and for 11 years has issued this type of document to the citizens of Kosovo.
When the Government of Kosovo has decided to implement this point of the agreement on August 1, the Serbs in the north of Kosovo have increased tensions by setting up barricades.
The Government of Kosovo has then postponed the implementation of the decision to September 1, but in the meantime the parties have agreed on their non-release.
The dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia started 11 years ago.
Kosovo insists that the dialogue for the normalization of relations be concluded with mutual recognition between the two countries.
Serbia, on the other hand, seeks a compromise solution.
