Balkans | The agreement reached between Kosovo and Serbia was discussed at the Kosovo Assembly

In the Kosovo Assembly session, the “verbal agreement” reached at the last negotiation meeting held in Ohrid, North Macedonia on the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia, was discussed.

Prime Minister Kurti, addressing the Assembly session, said that within the scope of the “verbal agreement” reached, Serbia recognized the de facto independence of Kosovo.

Noting that the agreement represented the acceptance of Kosovo as an equal member of the international community, and Serbia agreed to treat Kosovo in this way, Kurti said:

“Relevant government documents and symbols, including passports, diplomas, license plates and customs stamps, must be mutually recognized. We will also exchange permanent missions, only embassies with a different name. Serbia agreed to all of the above. This, of course, is actually established in writing and has Now the situation is irreversible, because the European Union and the United States are the guarantors of its temporary permanence.

Stressing that the Kosovo side is doing its best to improve the situation, Kurti said it has been made clear by the EU and US partners that Kosovo will not bear another burden.

Criticism from opposition party leaders

Leaders of Kosovo’s largest opposition party criticized Prime Minister Kurti for changing his stance on the creation of the Federation of Municipalities in Kosovo.

Memli Krasniqi, chairman of the opposition Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), stated that Prime Minister Kurti agreed to create the Federation of Serbia Municipalities in the agreement, which he had always rejected, and said: “This is a shameful change, in this case” the saying “we cannot have A better text” is surrender. First of all, the situation was created by this prime minister, and it did not fall from the sky. A year ago he could have gotten a better text, at least one from Serbia refused to accept non-recognition.” He evaluated it.

Lumir Abdiceko, the head of another opposition party, the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), expressed his sadness about Kurti’s volatile positions, saying: “The annex to the agreement, which was verbally accepted in Ohrid on March 18, not even two months later, is an addendum to the parties.” in Kosovo. He clearly envisages a commitment to the immediate commencement of negotiations on the creation of special arrangements for self-government for the Serb community.” He said.

Speaking at the parliamentary session, the deputy of the Turkish Democratic Kosovo Party (KDTP), Enes Kervan, said that it is not fair that Miroslav Lajcak, the European Union’s special representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue, meets only with the Serb community, ignoring other communities that are not in the majority. during his recent visit to Kosovo.

Kosovar Prime Minister Kurti and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic reached agreement on an agreement that would normalize relations between the two countries, but they did not sign the text of the agreement, during negotiations that lasted nearly 12 hours in Ohrid, North Macedonia, under the mediation of the European Union on March 18.

Relations between Serbia and Kosovo

The European Union calls on Kosovo and Serbia to reach a final agreement that can resolve issues between the two countries to make progress in the process of integration into the Union.

Although Kosovo is recognized as an independent country by 117 countries, it is described as one of the regions of “frozen conflict” in Europe due to the ongoing ethnic tensions in its north and its inability to become a member of the United Nations.

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 initiated in 2011 with the mediation of the European Union.

The EU High Representative for External Relations and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, announced that a verbal agreement had been reached between Kosovo and Serbia as part of the high-level meeting of the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue held in Ohrid, North Macedonia on March 18.

humility