Balkans | Serbia wants the European Union to object to Kosovo’s membership application

Serbia’s foreign minister, Ivica Dacic, said that they would try to persuade EU countries that do not recognize Kosovo to object to Pristina’s application to join the EU.

In a statement to the local press, Dacic said that his country will slow down the steps that Kosovo will take to join the European Union, adding, “We are trying to ensure that European Union countries that do not recognize Kosovo object to Pristina’s membership application.” He said.

Expressing that there will be official visits to his country from England, France, Portugal and Germany this week, Dacic said, “When it comes to the European Union, we will wait for Kosovo’s request. We have adhered to the Washington agreement, but its request to join the European Union shows that Kosovo does not respect it. Maintaining peace is important. Serbia will not be guilty of any accident and will not cause any interference. He said.

“We are doing our best to make our views heard and challenge double standards. Serbia respects all agreements, including the Brussels Agreement. The problem of northern Kosovo cannot be solved unilaterally, as (Kosovo Prime Minister) Albin Kurti did. Without the consent of Serbs, no police Kosovo what to do in the north. Use his statements.

Noting that his country has red lines, Dacic said, “We hope that there will be no need for Serbia to consider ‘further steps.'” he said.

Ahead of the EU-Western Balkans summit held in the Albanian capital Tirana last week, Kosovo President Fyuza Osmani told reporters that his country would apply for membership by the end of the year.

Tensions in Kosovo and Serbia

The two countries faced each other again ahead of snap general elections scheduled for December 18 in 4 municipalities in northern Kosovo, where the Serb population is packed.

Has led Kosovo to increase the presence of security forces in the Serb densely populated areas in the north of the country in order to ensure security in the region before the elections to the mutual tension between the two countries.

After the events in the north, Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani announced the postponement of early local elections to April 2023, but this decision did not ease the tension in the region.

After former Serbian member Dejan Pantik was detained by Kosovo police, Kosovo Serbs set up barricades in the north of the country and claimed he was attacked during EULEX night patrol.

Petar Petković, director of the Government of Serbia’s Kosovo Office, claimed that the Kosovo Special Police Unit of Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti (ROSU) entered Gazivod and tore down Serbian flags.

While the European Union, NATO and the United States of America have called for de-escalation in northern Kosovo, Kosovo and Serbia continue to make serious statements.

Serbia considers Kosovo, which unilaterally declared its independence in 2008, to be its territory.

Serbia and Kosovo, which clash periodically, are trying to find a common way to normalize relations, and eventually the two countries get to know each other, within the scope of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue process that began in 2011 with the mediation of the European Union.