TIRANA, February 15 – The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, said that while Kosovo considers the European proposal as a good basis for further discussions, an eventual final agreement with Serbia should include mutual recognition.
In a statement to the media in Pristina as quoted by REL on Wednesday, Kurti said that European and American officials have also accepted that recognition should be part of the final agreement.
“The process of talks has not started yet, there should be a high-level meeting that is invited by the high representative for Foreign Policy and Security, Josep Borrell, and we will see what and when from the talks. But there can be no complete normalization of relations without mutual recognition at the center. So, in every meeting we have had with our European and American partners, they accept that normalization and recognition cannot be separated from each other,” said Kurti.
Kosovo and Serbia accepted a European Union proposal last year, originally known as the Franco-German proposal for the normalization of relations. Both sides have accepted this document, which has not been made public.
However, the proposal, to which Radio Free Europe had access, foresees equal rights for Kosovo and Serbia, respect for territorial integrity, inviolability of borders, recognition of state symbols and a special arrangement for the Serbian community in Kosovo.
The document does not mention mutual recognition between Kosovo and Serbia or Kosovo’s membership in the United Nations Organization – which Kosovar officials publicly insist on – but emphasizes the support that the parties should give each other in the European integration process.
Prime Minister Kurti was also asked about the letter of the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, addressed to Serbia in which he said that Kosovo and Serbia must “make difficult compromises”.
“I believe that the US continues to be our main partner, friend and ally in democratic state-building, in economic development and in the complete normalization of relations with Serbia, which should be based on mutual recognition. Of course, there will be other issues in that agreement, apart from mutual recognition, but it is at the center,” said Kurti.
Kosovo and Serbia have been holding dialogue since 2011 with the mediation of the European Union. The process aims at the complete normalization of relations. However, the parties have differences regarding the end of the dialogue. Kosovo demands that a final agreement include recognition from Serbia – which officials in Belgrade have said is a “red line” for them – meanwhile, Serbia insists on a compromise solution, without indicating what kind of compromise it is. /Argumentum.al
